Acquisition of participations in domestic and foreign companies. The company may also acquire and exploit inventions, patents and manufacturing processes for utilization in Europe and other countries, participate in industrial and commercial enterprises and protect their interests in financial and commercial matters, provide technical and economic consulting services, buy and sell real estate and conduct commercial transactions of any kind in Switzerland and abroad. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, as well as acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. It may also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, as well as grant guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties.