The company's purpose is to acquire, hold, manage and/or dispose of participations in domestic or foreign companies of any kind. The company may provide guarantees in favor of affiliated companies, establish branches or subsidiaries in Switzerland or abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland or abroad, and conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose or suitable to promote the company's purpose. The company may acquire, hold, encumber, sell and/or manage real estate in Switzerland or abroad. It may also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, grant or take out loans, and provide or issue securities or guarantees, to the extent that this does not involve any activity requiring authorization under the Banking Act, as a fund management company or as a securities firm within the meaning of the Financial Institutions Act, and provide guarantees for subsidiaries or third parties.