The company's purpose is the acquisition, administration and sale of all types of participations, in Switzerland and abroad, excluding operations prohibited by the LFAIE. The company may also carry out all operations that are suitable to promote or facilitate the development of the company and the achievement of its social purpose. The company may in particular create branches, both in Switzerland and abroad, take participations in similar companies in Switzerland and abroad, and acquire and sell real estate, excluding operations subject to the Federal Law on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreigners. The company may also, on its own account or on behalf of third parties, carry out all financial, commercial and securities transactions, directly or indirectly related to its purpose or suitable to promote it. The company may also grant loans or other financial services to its direct or indirect shareholders, its direct or indirect subsidiaries, as well as other group companies, including concluding cash pooling agreements, and provide guarantees of any kind on its assets, including by way of pledges or fiduciary transfers, or by way of guarantees of any kind, to secure the obligations of its direct or indirect shareholders or subsidiaries or other group companies, in each case with or without consideration and even if these legal transactions are in the exclusive interest of third parties.