The purpose of the company is to acquire, manage and hold, as well as finance, participations in domestic and foreign companies. The company may, in addition, conduct financing, investment and lending transactions of any kind, enter into guarantees and provide securities for the benefit of third parties, and in general, enter into any business and conclude any contracts that serve to promote the company's purpose and are directly or indirectly related thereto. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, and conduct any business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose. The company may acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. It may also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, as well as enter into guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties.