Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said today he still believes there is a one-third chance that the U.S. economy will slip into recession this year, reiterating previous statements, Reuters reported.

Greenspan shook markets in February when he said it was possible the U.S. economy might fall into recession by the end of the year. He later said he saw a one-third chance of a recession.

The United States economy grew at a tepid 1.3 percent annualized rate in the first quarter, the weakest pace in four years.

Greenspan spoke via a satellite link from Washington to a Merrill Lynch investor forum. His remarks contrast with those of Ben Bernanke, the Fed’s chairman, who has played down the risk of a recession. Greenspan previously said he takes great care not to comment directly on monetary policy, but that making economic predictions is fair.