The purpose of the company is to acquire, manage and dispose of participations in domestic and foreign companies. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, acquire, encumber, sell and manage licenses, patents and other intangible assets as well as real estate, conduct investment and lending transactions of any kind, and enter into guarantees. The company may grant direct or indirect financing to group companies or third parties, including their direct or indirect shareholders or partners and their direct or indirect subsidiaries, and provide security for the liabilities of such other companies, including by way of pledges or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether against payment or not. Furthermore, the company may conduct any business and engage in any commercial, financial or other activities that are suitable to promote the purpose of the company or are directly or indirectly related to it.