RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Risks and Uncertainties

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The state of the overall economy can significantly impact the Company’s operational performance and thus impact its financial position.  Should EastGroup experience a significant decline in operational performance due to the current coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, as discussed below, or other general economic conditions, it may affect the Company’s ability to make distributions to its shareholders, service debt, or meet other financial obligations.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. The United States, which is where EastGroup’s properties are located, has experienced widespread infection, and there is uncertainty regarding how long the pandemic will impact the United States and the rest of the world. Unprecedented, extraordinary actions have been taken by federal, state and local governmental authorities to combat the spread of COVID-19, including issuance of “stay-at-home” directives and similar mandates for many individuals to substantially restrict daily activities and for many businesses to curtail or cease normal operations. These measures, while intended to protect human life, have led to, and may continue to lead to, reduced economic activity in certain sectors and an increase in unemployment throughout the United States, including some markets where the Company’s properties are located. As a result, there has been, and may continue to be, a period of economic

slowdown, the severity of which is uncertain. Such economic slowdown, among other disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely impact EastGroup’s financial condition and results of operations and the financial condition and results of operations of the Company’s tenants.

EastGroup’s ability to lease its properties and collect rental revenues and expense reimbursements is dependent upon national, regional and local economic conditions. The potential inability to renew leases, lease vacant space or re-lease space as leases expire on favorable terms, or at all, could cause a decline in the Company’s receipt of rental payments. The Company has been in communication with a portion of its customer base regarding rent relief requests and has executed rent deferral agreements totaling $1.7 million, including approximately $1,500,000 that was applicable to periods through September 30, 2020 and approximately $150,000 for future periods. The majority of these deferral agreements ($1.4 million of the $1.7 million) qualify under modified COVID-19-related guidance provided by the FASB for rental income to be recognized in the periods in which they were charged under the original terms of the leases. These requests are being handled on a case-by-case basis, and the Company’s responses are largely dependent on its understanding of the financial strength of the customer, the operational and earnings impacts being experienced by the customer, and the customer’s ability or inability to obtain capital through debt or equity issuances, government assistance programs or by other means. The frequency of these requests slowed dramatically in the three months ended September 30, 2020.

Some of the Company’s customers are experiencing a deterioration in their financial position, results of operations and cash flows; as a result, they may not be able to pay their rent and expense reimbursements, which could adversely affect EastGroup’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Federal, state and local government restrictions associated with the mitigation efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 could prevent EastGroup’s customers from accessing their leased space and operating their businesses; such restrictions could also impact the Company’s ability to operate its business, which may cause the business and operating results to decline or impact the Company’s ability to comply with regulatory obligations leading to reputational harm and regulatory issues or fines. Such restrictions could also inhibit the Company’s ability to lease vacant space in its operating portfolio and its development and value-add program. In addition, government restrictions could prevent construction of tenant improvements and development projects, which could delay construction completion and lease commencement dates. In each case, EastGroup may experience an adverse impact on its financial condition and results of operations.

The economic uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has caused and may continue to cause disruption and instability in the financial markets and may impact EastGroup’s ability to raise capital from debt and equity markets on favorable terms or at all.

The health and well-being of EastGroup’s customers, employees, directors and other stakeholders is of great importance to the Company. The Company is striving to accommodate flexible working arrangements for its employees to ensure the health and safety of its team, while employees are continuing to perform job duties and provide services to the Company’s customers and other stakeholders. There are risks associated with remote working arrangements, including, but not limited to, risks related to cyber-security. EastGroup is continuing to monitor and adhere to federal, state and local government guidelines regarding its work arrangements with the goal of preventing the spread of COVID-19 to the Company’s workforce, customers and communities. There are risks and uncertainties related to the health of the Company’s employees and directors; any potential deterioration of the health of key personnel could impact EastGroup’s business operations.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the current economic, financial and capital markets environment present material risks and uncertainties for the Company. However, the rapid development and fluidity of the situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate impact COVID-19 will have on EastGroup’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, which will depend largely on future developments directly or indirectly relating to the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.