The company's purpose is to acquire, manage and dispose of participations in domestic and foreign companies of all kinds. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and may acquire, hold and dispose of real estate. The company may engage in all commercial activities that are directly or indirectly related to the company's purpose and may take all measures that appear to be suitable for promoting the company's purpose or are related to it. The company may grant loans or other financing to its direct or indirect subsidiaries, act as joint and several debtor for liabilities of such other companies and provide security of all kinds, including by way of joint and several guarantees or by way of pledges or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether against payment or not.