The company's purpose is to acquire, manage and dispose of participations in domestic and foreign companies of all kinds. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, as well as conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose. The company may acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. The company is part of a group and, to the extent permitted, aligns its business activities with the group's goals. Accordingly, the company may, in the interest of the group or individual group companies (including their direct or indirect parent companies and their direct or indirect subsidiaries), conclude contracts and, in particular, grant loans or other financing to such group companies or third parties and provide collateral of all kinds for their liabilities, including by way of pledges or security assignments and transfers of the company's assets or by way of guarantees of any kind, whether remunerated or not.