The Company's purpose is: directly or indirectly, in all countries, the acquisition, management and operation of interests in companies of any nature in Switzerland and abroad, including the establishment of such companies (it being specified that the company may hold in Switzerland an interest in a real estate company if (i) the shares of the latter are listed on a stock exchange in Switzerland or if (ii) the real estate company's purpose is the acquisition of buildings with exclusively commercial use). It may perform any act and carry out any activity that are directly or indirectly related to its purpose. It may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad. It may acquire, hold, encumber with limited real rights, administer and alienate real estate in Switzerland (with exclusively commercial use only) and abroad. It may grant loans or financing in any form to any affiliated company (including parent companies and their subsidiaries) or guarantee or provide other securities for all obligations of such affiliated companies, without regard to a concentration risk and with or without remuneration.