The acquisition of shareholdings in companies and the management of companies, as well as all real estate transactions and investments in financial, commercial, industrial or other legal entities, for short, medium or long term, excluding real estate transactions or shareholdings in companies holding residential real estate properties, in Switzerland; trade, commercial representation, brokerage, market research, acquisition and exploitation of patents, processes and recipes and technical assistance in these fields, on its own account or on behalf of third parties; the company may carry out, either on its own account or on behalf of third parties, all financial, commercial, industrial, movable and real estate transactions (with the exception of transactions prohibited by the LFAIE), in Switzerland and abroad, directly or indirectly related to the main purpose; it may also create branches and subsidiaries, in Switzerland and abroad; the company may also grant loans to its shareholders and guarantee, endorse or act as a surety for loans granted by third parties to its shareholders.