The company's purpose is to acquire, manage and sell participations in domestic and foreign companies of all kinds. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries abroad, take over representations and engage in any business activities and conclude contracts of any kind that may be beneficial to the company's purpose or are directly or indirectly related to the company's purpose. It may acquire, hold, encumber and sell real estate in Switzerland and abroad, except for real estate transactions prohibited by the Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad (BewG). The company may also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, as well as grant guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties. Furthermore, intellectual property rights and licenses of all kinds may be acquired, managed, encumbered and sold.