The Company's purpose, as a holding company, is to invest in, acquire, hold, dispose of and manage interests in Swiss or foreign companies, with the exception of companies (with headquarters in Switzerland) whose purpose is the acquisition of real estate within the meaning of the Federal Law on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad (LFAIE). The Company may carry out all operations directly or indirectly related to this purpose and may be directly or indirectly interested therein. It may also, for its own account or for the account of third parties, carry out all financial, commercial and securities transactions, directly or indirectly related to its purpose or likely to promote it. The Company may furthermore grant loans or other financial services to its direct or indirect shareholders, to its direct or indirect subsidiaries as well as to third parties and provide securities of any kind on its assets including by way of pledges or transfer in trust or by way of guarantees of any kind, to guarantee the obligations of its direct or indirect shareholders, of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or of third parties. The Company may create subsidiaries and branches, in Switzerland and abroad. The Company may also make all investments, movable or immovable, for its own account.