The purpose of the company is to trade in financial instruments in its own name and on its own account, as well as to acquire, manage and dispose of participations in domestic and foreign companies of all kinds. The company may establish branches in Switzerland and abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, take over representations and conduct all business, enter into obligations and conclude contracts that are suitable to promote the company's purpose and the development of the company, or that are directly or indirectly related to it. The company may also grant direct or indirect financing to its direct or indirect subsidiaries and third parties, including its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries, without adequate consideration, and provide security for its own liabilities and those of other companies (including its direct or indirect subsidiaries and third parties, including its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries) of any kind, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether remunerated or not. The company may acquire, hold, manage, encumber and dispose of real estate (excluding businesses subject to the Swiss Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreigners) and intellectual property rights in Switzerland and abroad.