Money in a Minute: Headlines From Around the Web

JOBS: Private employers added a meager 38,000 jobs in May

The private sector is still growing, but it’s slowing. “Private-sector payroll growth slowed sharply in May, coming in far below expectations and falling to the lowest level in eight months,” MSNBC reports. While 38,000 jobs were added last month, “Economists surveyed by Reuters had forecast a gain of 175,000 jobs for May.”

INDUSTRY: Manufacturing stumble threatens global recovery

Everyone knows manufacturing is drying up in America. But China too? “Manufacturing took a dive in China, the United States and across the eurozone in May,” CNN reports. “Economists blamed the slowdown on rising energy prices and Japan’s natural disasters.”

THEFT: Taxpayer identity theft is soaring

If someone told you the IRS was hit with 51,702 cases of tax identity theft in 2008, that sounds like a lot – until you learn that in 2010, there were 248,357 incidents. Even worse, “Many identity thieves don’t get prosecuted,” MSNBC reports.

CARS: GM, Ford sales fall as higher gas prices hit buyers

Rising gas prices are finally hurting auto makers. “Gasoline that has exceeded $3.50 a gallon since early March led some buyers to defer purchases,” Bloomberg reports. “GM deliveries dropped 1.2 percent. Ford light-vehicle deliveries fell 2.6 percent.”

TECH: Groupon Now begins its national rollout

The super-hot coupon company Groupon has launched its mobile app in two more cities: New York and San Francisco, only a month after it debuted in Chicago. Groupon Now “connects customers with real-time coupons for retailers,” CNN reports. “The next phase of a gradual nationwide roll-out.”