The purpose of the company is the acquisition, ownership, permanent management, disposal and financing of participations of all kinds in other companies in Switzerland and abroad. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose. The company may acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. The company may grant direct or indirect loans or other financing to its direct or indirect domestic or foreign group companies as well as to third parties, including its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries, and provide collateral of all kinds for liabilities of such companies, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether against payment or not.