The purpose of the company is the acquisition, sale, holding and management of participations in all types of companies and enterprises in the sense of a holding company, with the exception of participations in real estate companies that hold properties for residential purposes in Switzerland. The company may conduct all financial, commercial, industrial, movable and real estate transactions (with the exception of transactions prohibited by the BewG) in Switzerland and abroad, either on its own account or on behalf of third parties, which are directly or indirectly related to the main purpose; it may also establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad; the company may also grant loans to its shareholders and declare itself jointly and severally liable with third parties for loans granted to its shareholders by third parties, guarantee or provide security for such loans.