The company's purpose is that of a holding company, namely the acquisition, sale, creation, holding, administration and management of participations in all companies or businesses, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland or abroad (with regard to real estate companies based in Switzerland, only those holding properties with exclusively commercial use). The company may also, in Switzerland and abroad: - create branches or subsidiaries, take participations in, and more generally participate in, all businesses having a direct or indirect connection with its purpose; - carry out, either on its own account or on behalf of third parties, all financial, commercial, movable or immovable transactions directly or indirectly related to the main purpose, or likely to promote its development, it being specified that any acquisition of real estate in Switzerland may only take place if such real estate has an exclusively commercial use; and - provide financial assistance, including loans, advances, guarantees or securities of all kinds to its shareholders, affiliated companies or third parties.