Participation in companies both in Switzerland and abroad, permanent administration of participations as well as financial and technical control of the companies in which it holds participations. The company may also carry out all other operations that are related to its purpose as well as the investment of its funds. The company is part of a group of companies and may take into account the interests of this group in pursuing its corporate purpose. In particular, it may grant loans or other forms of direct or indirect financing, including within the framework of cash pooling agreements, and provide all types of guarantees and securities, notably in the form of pledges or fiduciary assignments of the company's assets, to its direct and indirect subsidiaries, as well as to third parties, including its direct and indirect shareholders and their direct and indirect subsidiaries, for consideration or free of charge.