The company's purpose is: the purchase, sale, management and exploitation of participations in companies of all kinds, whether in the commercial, financial or industrial sector as well as in the real estate business, the latter excluding the acquisition requiring authorization pursuant to the Federal Act on Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreigners (BewG); the purchase and sale of patents, licenses and other intellectual property. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, as well as conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose. It may also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, as well as grant guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties.