The company's purpose is to acquire, hold, manage and sell participations of all kinds in Switzerland and abroad. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose. The company may acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. The company is part of a group of companies and may consider the interests of the group in pursuing its corporate purpose. In particular, the company may provide direct or indirect financing to its direct or indirect subsidiaries and third parties, including its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries, take out loans for and from such companies, and provide securities of all kinds for liabilities of such companies and of itself, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether remunerated or not.