The company's purpose is the acquisition, holding, management, and sale of interests in companies in Switzerland and abroad. The company may, as an ancillary activity, establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and engage in activities directly or indirectly related to the company's purpose. The company may buy, encumber, sell, and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. It may also grant financing on its own account or on behalf of third parties and provide guarantees and bonds for subsidiaries and third parties. The company may grant loans to its direct or indirect shareholders or to other companies in the group, as well as provide securities of any kind, including pledging or transferring its own assets as security, or provide guarantees of any kind, even if these loans or securities are granted exclusively in the interest of its direct or indirect shareholders or other companies in the group and without any consideration.