HEALTH CARE

Unexpected Earnings: Regency Health Services Inc. said that it expects to report strong earnings for its fourth quarter, which ended Dec. 31. Regency said it will earn 18 cents a share for the quarter, which it said is better than anticipated. The Tustin-based company, which acquired Care Enterprises in April, had expected earnings to suffer throughout the year as a result of the merger.

But occupancy rates at the company’s health-care facilities were higher than normal for the latter part of 1994, which contributed to a profitable quarter. Also, Regency had a significant restructuring related to the acquisition that contributed to higher earnings. Fourth-quarter earnings for fiscal 1994 are not comparable to those of earlier years because of the company’s merger last year.