The company's purpose, in the sense of a holding company, is to acquire, purchase, sell, administer and manage participations in all types of companies and enterprises, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland or abroad. The company may create subsidiaries and branches in Switzerland and abroad. The company may grant or receive loans, guarantees and securities to or from its shareholders, subsidiaries or any third party; in general, the company may carry out all transactions and take all measures that appear appropriate to promote its corporate purpose or are related thereto. The company may provide loans or other financing to its direct or indirect shareholders as well as to any other group company and may also guarantee their obligations to third parties in any way, including through pledges, assignments or transfers for security or guarantees of any kind, remunerated or not, even if these guarantees and securities exclusively serve the interests of the direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies.