The Effect of Financial Distress, Institutional Ownership, and Earning Per Share on Stock Returns in Transportation and Logistics Companies Listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the Period 2019–2023

This study aims to examine the effect of financial distress, institutional ownership, and earnings per share (EPS) on stock returns in transportation and logistics firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2019 to 2023. Employing a quantitative approach and purposive sampling, seven firms were selected. Panel data regression was utilized with EViews 13 and Stata 17 for analysis. The empirical findings indicate that financial distress and EPS exert a significant negative influence on stock returns, whereas institutional ownership shows no significant effect. These findings underscore the strategic importance of managing financial health and profitability performance in shaping corporate financial policies and enhancing stock valuation.