The purpose of the company is to hold and manage shares in any company in Switzerland and abroad, as well as to provide administrative and advisory services to affiliated companies and to third parties, it being specified that the company may only hold shares in Switzerland in real estate companies exclusively dedicated to commercial purposes. The company may create branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad. The company may acquire, operate, use and exercise all intellectual and industrial property rights, trademarks, designs and/or drawings, in any manner whatsoever. The company may enter into and/or resort to any type of financing for its own account or for the account of third parties and, in particular, to credit or guarantee operations (including the granting of pledges, assignments and transfers of ownership as security, guarantees, surety contracts, comfort letters, indemnities, obligations and related economic benefits, associated with these operations), on a paid or unpaid basis, in favor of and/or in connection with commitments of direct or indirect shareholders, subsidiaries and other affiliated companies, even if these financing, credit or hedging operations are in the exclusive interest of the direct or indirect shareholders and/or the affiliated companies. The company may carry out all activities and take all measures deemed appropriate for the achievement of its purpose or which are directly or indirectly related to its purpose.