The company's purpose is to engage in holding activities for the acquisition and management of participations in domestic and foreign companies. It may also sell such participations or exchange them for other participations. The company may enter into all transactions and conclude contracts that are suitable to promote the purpose of the company or are directly or indirectly related to it, in particular the taking up and granting of loans as well as the acquisition and exploitation of intellectual property rights. Furthermore, it may buy, sell or encumber real estate and plots of land in Switzerland and abroad. The company may trade in goods of all kinds on its own account, as a commission agent or as an agent for third parties in Switzerland and abroad, as well as provide services in the field of corporate consulting. It may also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, as well as enter into guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties.