The company's purpose is to acquire, hold, encumber, manage and sell participations in companies of all kinds in Switzerland and abroad. The company may also conclude all transactions and enter into agreements that serve the company's purpose directly or indirectly or are directly related to it. The company may grant loans or other financing to its direct or indirect subsidiaries and third parties and provide security of any kind for liabilities of such other companies, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether against payment or not. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and acquire, hold, encumber, manage and sell real estate and intellectual property rights.