Acquisition, holding, management, and disposal of participations in domestic and foreign companies of all kinds as well as management of own assets. The company may undertake financings for its own account or for the account of others and may provide guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties. It may grant loans and credits to shareholders, affiliated companies, or third parties. The company may establish branches in Switzerland and abroad, participate in other domestic and foreign enterprises, acquire or merge with similar or related companies, and enter into all transactions and conclude all contracts that are suitable for promoting the purpose of the company or that are directly or indirectly related thereto. It may acquire, manage, encumber, and dispose of real estate, intellectual property rights, and licenses of all kinds.