For its own account and for the account of third parties, both in Switzerland and abroad, all investment, investment and financial operations. Investment operations do not include, in Switzerland, the acquisition of residential real estate, nor the participation in companies whose real purpose is the acquisition of residential real estate. The company may grant or request loans or any other form of financing to its shareholders, to third parties and/or to companies of the same group, as well as provide securities of all kinds, directly or indirectly for the benefit of its shareholders, third parties and/or companies of the same group, in particular in the form of guarantees, pledges or securities on the assets of the company. The company may carry out for its own account or for the account of third parties all commercial, financial, industrial, movable or immovable operations in direct or indirect relation with its purpose or which are likely to enable it to achieve it, with the exception of operations prohibited by the LFAIE. The company may create subsidiaries and branches in Switzerland and abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, acquire companies with an identical or similar purpose, or merge with such companies, hold and manage financial participations, carry out all operations and conclude all contracts likely to develop and extend its purpose or relating directly or indirectly thereto, both in Switzerland and abroad.