Acquisition, management and disposal of participations of any kind in Switzerland and abroad, in particular those in trading and manufacturing companies, in the sense of a holding company. May also establish, acquire and merge with other companies of any kind in Switzerland and abroad, acquire, encumber, manage and dispose of real estate and intellectual property rights in Switzerland and abroad, and establish branches and agencies in Switzerland or abroad by decision of the board of directors. May provide financing, guarantees and sureties for its own account or for the account of third parties, and may grant loans to its direct or indirect shareholders or other companies within the group and provide security for their liabilities to third parties, including by pledging or assigning its own assets or providing guarantees of any kind, even if such loans or securities are granted in the exclusive interest of its direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies and are provided free of charge.