The purpose of the company is to acquire and manage participations in other companies in Switzerland and abroad. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad. It may acquire, hold, manage, exploit and sell real estate and intellectual property rights in Switzerland and abroad. Furthermore, it may carry out all commercial, financial and other activities that are connected with the purpose of the company or are suitable to promote it directly or indirectly. The company may grant loans or other financings to its direct or indirect parent companies and companies as well as to their direct or indirect subsidiaries, and enter into security transactions of all kinds, in particular in the form of guarantees, pledges, global assignments, security transfers, security assignments and indemnification agreements for affiliated companies and third parties, even if these financing or security transactions are in their exclusive interest and are free of charge. In addition, the company may conclude cash pooling agreements with other group companies.