The company's purpose is to acquire, manage and dispose of participations of all kinds in Switzerland and abroad. 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 may also grant loans or other financing to its direct and indirect parent companies, as well as their direct or indirect subsidiaries, for consideration or free of charge, and provide security of all kinds for the liabilities of such other companies, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or by way of guarantees of any kind. 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.