Bay State economy seen threatened by global slowdown

BOSTON – Massachusetts holds a "precarious footing" on its economic future, according to a group of regional economists and forecasters, who cited global uncertainty, a potential debt crisis and a U.S. economic slowdown as reasons for concern.

The outlook released Wednesday by MassBenchmarks economists notes that first quarter growth in Massachusetts exceeded the national rate, climbing 2.3 percent compared with a 0.5 percent gain in U.S. gross domestic product. The forecasters cited gains in jobs and incomes compared with the last three months of 2015. In the short-term, they said the commonwealth's top industries – health, education, advanced manufacturing and technology – are expected to continue driving the state's growth, especially in the Greater Boston area.