The purpose of the company is to acquire, hold, manage, sell, trade and finance participations in domestic and foreign companies of all kinds. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, as well as conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose. It may acquire, encumber, sell, rent and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad, as well as acquire, hold, manage and sell intellectual property rights of all kinds. The company may provide financing on its own account and grant direct or indirect financing (including cash pooling) to its direct or indirect subsidiaries, its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries and third parties, and provide security of all kinds for the liabilities of such companies, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether remunerated or not.