The company's purpose is to acquire and manage, as well as to operate, participations in domestic and foreign companies of all kinds, and to carry out all trade and financial transactions directly or indirectly related thereto. It can acquire, manage, exploit and sell licenses and patents, and conduct financial, brokerage and trading transactions of all kinds, with the exception of banking business within the meaning of Swiss banking and stock exchange legislation. The company can establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, as well as conduct all business directly or indirectly related to its purpose. The company can acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. It can also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, as well as provide guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties.