The acquisition, holding, management of participations in all companies and commercial, industrial, financial, real estate (excluding participations in companies holding residential real estate in Switzerland) or hotel companies, in Switzerland and abroad, as well as all other activities of a nature to promote or develop the aforementioned purpose or to facilitate its realization; the acquisition, administration and sale of commercial real estate exclusively for commercial use; the company may acquire, hold and sell patents, trademarks as well as technical and industrial know-how; it may also: establish branches and create subsidiaries in Switzerland or abroad, represent third parties and carry out all operations and conclude all contracts that are likely to promote the purpose of the company or that are directly or indirectly related to the latter (excluding operations prohibited by the LFAIE); control, advise and coordinate the activities of companies in which it holds a participation; finance other group companies, contract loans, including mortgage loans, and provide guarantees, endorsements and other guarantees, including securities, for third-party obligations; it may engage in any other commercial and/or financial activity and/or other operations aimed at pursuing or promoting the development, object or investments of the company.