The company's purpose is to acquire, sell, hold and manage participations in companies of all kinds in Switzerland and abroad. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, and conduct all business 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, and grant securities for the liabilities of affiliated companies. The company may grant loans to its direct or indirect shareholders or to other companies within the group, and provide securities of all kinds for their liabilities to third parties, including by way of pledge or assignment of its own assets or guarantees of any kind, even if such loans or securities are granted in the exclusive interest of its direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies and are provided free of charge.