The purpose of the company is to acquire, hold, manage and dispose of participations in group companies, group investment companies and intellectual property rights. The company aims to trade in securities and other financial instruments, as well as to make financial investments of all kinds for its own financial management. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, as well as participate in companies in Switzerland and abroad. Furthermore, the company may conduct all commercial, financial or other business that is suitable to promote the purpose of the company and the companies associated with it, or that is directly or indirectly related to it. The company may acquire, hold, encumber and dispose of real estate. The company may provide financing transactions for group companies, in particular by granting loans to shareholders or group companies or by providing security of all kinds to third parties for obligations of other group companies, even if such loans or security are in the sole interest of direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies.