Advisor Discusses Apria

Michael Price’s Franklin Mutual Advisors Inc. said Apria Healthcare Group Inc. should agree to one of the recent proposals to take over the home-care services provider.

Apria’s stock climbed $1 to $11.94 a share Thursday after the company said it is considering Transworld HealthCare Inc.’s revised bid of $1.43 billion, or $18 a share, along with proposals from other parties.

Franklin Mutual, which holds an 8.6% stake in Apria, said the health care services provider should negotiate a transaction that brings “a substantial cash infusion” to the company while making “a substantial cash distribution to shareholders,” and installs “new management with experience and demonstrated success in the health care industry.”

Price’s Franklin Mutual made the statements in a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Apria officials weren’t immediately available for comment.