State bond rating may get a boost

California’s rating on $50 billion of bonds may be raised by Standard & Poor’s as the most-populous U.S. state plans to pay off debt ahead of schedule, and the pace of the economy eases pressure on its budget.

S&P; raised its outlook on California’s general obligation bond rating to “positive” from “stable,” a first step toward awarding the state a higher ranking. California’s debt is rated A-plus, the fifth-highest of S&P;’s 10 investment grades. Rating upgrades can mean lower borrowing costs because investors are generally willing to accept lower yields on debt perceived as less risky.

The state treasurer’s office has also launched a website to help Californians buy the state’s bonds.

The site includes information about the financial benefits of buying the tax-exempt bonds, how to buy them and upcoming bond sales. The first sale offered on the site, at buycaliforniabonds.com, takes place June 20, when $2.5 billion in bonds are to be sold.

Individual investors can place orders through brokers June 18 and 19, followed by institutional investors June 20. Individual investors will pay the same price as institutional investors, and the state will pay the individual buyers’ brokerage commissions.