The company's purpose is to acquire, hold, manage, sell and finance participations in companies in Switzerland and abroad. The company may establish subsidiaries and branches, as well as participate in other companies. The company may acquire, hold, encumber and sell real estate and intellectual property rights. The company may also carry out all commercial, financial and other activities that are directly or indirectly related to the company's purpose. The company may grant loans and other direct or indirect financing to group companies and third parties, including its (direct and indirect) shareholders and their group companies, and provide security for their liabilities 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.