The company's purpose is to acquire, manage and dispose of participations in other companies. The company may acquire, manage and dispose of licenses, patents and other intangible assets as well as real estate. It may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and conduct all business that is connected with the company's purpose or suitable to promote it. The company may also provide direct or indirect financing to its direct or indirect subsidiaries, its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries as well as to third parties, and grant security of any kind for its own liabilities and those of other companies (including its direct or indirect subsidiaries, its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries as well as third parties), including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether remunerated or not.