Apria Healthcare Expands Credit Line

Apria Healthcare Group Inc. said its bank credit agreement has been amended to allow the Costa Mesa home health care company to make acquisitions totaling up to $125 million.

The acquisitions figure to play a key role in the company’s growth strategy for next year, Chief Executive Philip L. Carter said.

Under the amended credit agreement, Apria also will be able to repurchase up to $50 million of its common stock over the next two years, Apria said Monday.

The company has been on the rebound, posting profits for two quarters after sustaining a year of losses. The stock, which traded just under $3 about a year ago, closed Monday at $15.38, up 75 cents a share, on the New York Stock Exchange.