Acquisition, management and disposal of participations in companies. May establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, participate in, acquire or merge with other companies in Switzerland and abroad, provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, as well as grant guarantees and warranties for subsidiaries and third parties, acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate and licenses in Switzerland and abroad, and acquire, exploit or dispose of patents, trademarks, design rights, copyrights and other intellectual property rights in any form.