A dividend cut is like a punch to the gut if you're buying stocks for passive income. Companies can cut their dividend for a variety of reasons, but the bottom line is you're not getting that dividend check -- and the share price often takes a hit, too.

Unfortunately, you can't do anything to prevent the dividend cut when it happens, so your best defense against them is to avoid them in the first place.

Not sure what to look for? Here's what you need to know.

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Source Fool.com