EARNINGS PER SHARE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]

Earnings per Share

(11)  EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company applies ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, which requires companies to present basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS).  Basic EPS represents the amount of earnings for the period attributable to each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period.  The Company's basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

Diluted EPS represents the amount of earnings for the period attributable to each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period and to each share that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares for all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the reporting period.  The Company calculates diluted EPS by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock and stock options had the options been exercised.  The dilutive effect of stock options and their equivalents (such as unvested restricted stock) was determined using the treasury stock method which assumes exercise of the options as of the beginning of the period or when issued, if later, and assumes proceeds from the exercise of options are used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period.

Reconciliation of the numerators and denominators in the basic and diluted EPS computations is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012	2011
	(In thousands)
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$         5,403	4,792
Denominator - weighted average shares outstanding	27,647	26,809
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$         5,403	4,792
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding	27,647	26,809
Common stock options	4	8
Unvested restricted stock	67	56
Total Shares	27,718	26,873