Journal of Applied Accounting and Sustainable Finance
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): Agust 2026

Predicting Financial Distress in Infrastructure Companies Using Cash Ratios, Asset Profitability, and Managerial Agency Costs

Doris Walukano (University of Nairobi, Kenya)
Santika Hutasoit (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Tri Bhakti, Bekasi, Indonesia)
Adam Jordan Nadeak (Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to examine and analyze the relationship between Cash Ratio, Return on Asset, and Managerial Agency Cost on Financial Distress. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses quantitative data. The sample used in this research consists of infrastructure sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the 2022–2024 period, selected using purposive sampling with specific criteria to ensure relevance to the research objectives. The analysis technique employed to test the hypotheses is multiple regression analysis using E-Views 9 software. Findings – The results of this study indicate that the Cash Ratio variable has a positive and statistically significant effect on Financial Distress. This finding suggests that higher cash holdings in infrastructure sector companies during the post-pandemic period (2022–2024) may reflect uncertainty in investment opportunities, which paradoxically increases the risk of distress. The Return on Assets variable has a negative and statistically insignificant effect on Financial Distress, indicating that profitability alone does not provide sufficient protection against financial difficulties in this context. Meanwhile, the Managerial Agency Cost variable has a positive and statistically insignificant effect on Financial Distress, implying that inefficiencies in managerial decision-making may contribute to distress but are not decisive. Research limitations/implications – This research is limited to the 2022–2024 observation period and infrastructure sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), and examines cash ratio, return on assets, and managerial agency costs as determinants of corporate financial distress. The practical implication of this research is that the findings may serve as a reference for management and investors in assessing and anticipating the risk of financial distress in infrastructure sector companies.  JEL: G30, G32, G33

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Journal Info

Abbrev

aasf

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Economics, Econometrics & Finance Social Sciences

Description

Journal of Applied Accounting and Sustainable Finance is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes high-quality research in the fields of accounting, finance, and sustainability. The journal focuses on the application of accounting and financial principles to support sustainable business ...