The trading of financial instruments in its own name and on its own account, as well as the acquisition, permanent management and sale of participations in Swiss and foreign companies of all types. The company may establish branches in Switzerland and abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, take on representations and carry out all operations, make commitments and conclude contracts that are intended to promote the company's purpose and development or that have a direct or indirect connection with it. The company may also, without adequate consideration, provide direct or indirect financing to its direct or indirect subsidiaries as well as to third parties, including its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries, and provide guarantees of any kind for its own commitments as well as for those of other companies (including its direct or indirect subsidiaries and third parties, including its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries), including by means of pledges or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, for consideration or not. The company may acquire, in Switzerland and abroad, real estate (excluding transactions subject to the LFAIE) and land.