The company's purpose is the acquisition, holding, administration and use of participations in companies in Switzerland and abroad, excluding participations in non-listed companies with a real estate purpose; it may also carry out, either on its own account or on behalf of third parties, all financial, commercial or securities transactions directly or indirectly related to its corporate purpose; the company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad; within the framework of its purpose, the company may also acquire and hold Swiss real estate or shares in companies with a similar purpose and holding Swiss real estate, provided they are used exclusively for commercial or industrial purposes.