The acquisition, holding and management of participations and assets in Switzerland and abroad, the provision of all management and consulting services, as well as all activities related to the acquisition, operation and development of trade of any kind; however, the company may only hold, directly or indirectly, real estate in Switzerland if it has an exclusively commercial use; the company may, in Switzerland and abroad, engage in any financial, commercial, movable, immovable and industrial activity directly or indirectly related to its purpose, create branches or subsidiaries, participate in all enterprises having a direct or indirect relationship with its purpose, grant loans or other financing to its shareholders (direct and indirect) or sister or affiliated companies, and provide all guarantees to secure the obligations of such shareholders and companies, including by creating pledges, transferring the company's assets in trust, or issuing a guarantee of any kind, even without the company receiving remuneration or consideration if it serves its interests, and participate in cash pooling operations within its group.