MCDONALD’S TO DROP FOAM PACKAGING

McDonald’s will stop using plastic-foam cups — which keep drinks icy cold but make environmentalists red hot — by the end of this year. The world’s largest restaurant operator quietly disclosed the decision on its website, along with its plan to use recycled and certified sources for all of its fiber-based packaging by 2020. The decision is expected to ease tensions between McDonald’s and shareholder activists.

Bank sex pect tax law windfall.

YORK» Two NEW of the nation’s biggest banks — JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo — are indicating they expect to see significant future benefits from the GOP tax bill, through lower taxes and increased business. Banks have regularly paid effective tax rates of 30 percent or more. JPMorgan said Friday that it now expects its effective corporate tax rate to be roughly 20 percent, while Wells estimates 19 percent.

Utility rates may fall.

CITY» Public OKLAHOMA utility regulators nationwide are considering lowering the rates consumers pay for electricity and natural gas after a federal tax overhaul reduced the corporate income tax rate by 14 percent.

$84 billion inventure capital in 2017.

In 2017, venture capital firms in the United States dished out $84 billion to 8,000 technology startups and companies, the highest amount seen since the early 2000s, according to an annual industry monitor from the research firm Pitchbook and the National Venture Capital Association.

Rigs soar.

HOUSTON» The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 15 this week to 939. Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Colorado gained two wells.