The company's purpose is to hold and manage participations of all kinds in Switzerland and abroad, in particular securities on its own account. The company may (i) conduct all financial transactions related to the fulfillment of its purpose, in particular take out and grant loans, (ii) establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, (iii) acquire, hold and sell real estate, other property rights and intellectual property, and (iv) conduct all commercial, financial or other transactions that may be related to the company's purpose. The company may grant loans or other financing to its direct or indirect parent companies and their shareholders, as well as their direct or indirect subsidiaries, at market conditions or without consideration, and provide security for the liabilities of such other companies, including by way of pledges on the company's assets or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets, or by way of guarantees of any kind.