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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EastGroup Properties, Inc. (“EastGroup” or “the Company”), its wholly owned subsidiaries and its investment in any joint ventures in which the Company has a controlling interest.

As of December 31, 2018, EastGroup had an 80% controlling interest in University Business Center 120 and 130 through a joint venture partnership. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company, along with the noncontrolling interest partner, sold University Business Center 130 and as of December 31, 2019, EastGroup had an 80% controlling interest in University Business Center 120. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company sold its 80% controlling interest in University Business Center 120 and the joint venture partnership was dissolved.

Also during 2019, EastGroup entered into two joint venture arrangements. On May 31, 2019, the Company acquired 6.5 acres of land in San Diego, known by the Company as the Miramar Land. In the second quarter of 2019, a joint venture was formed through which EastGroup owns a 95% controlling interest in this property. Also, on December 31, 2019, the Company acquired 41.6 acres of land in San Diego, known by the Company as the Otay Mesa Land, with the same noncontrolling interest partner with EastGroup owning a 99% controlling interest in the property.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, EastGroup had a 95% controlling interest in the Miramar Land and a 99% controlling interest in the Otay Mesa Land.

The Company records 100% of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the properties held in joint ventures with the noncontrolling interests provided for in accordance with the joint venture agreements.

The equity method of accounting is used for the Company’s 50% undivided tenant-in-common interest in Industry Distribution Center II. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Income Taxes

EastGroup, a Maryland corporation, has qualified as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code and intends to continue to qualify as such. To maintain its status as a REIT, the Company is required to, among other things, distribute at least 90% of its ordinary taxable income to its stockholders. If the Company has a capital gain, it has the option of (i) deferring recognition of the capital gain through a tax-deferred exchange, (ii) declaring and paying a capital gain dividend on any recognized net capital gain resulting in no corporate level tax, or (iii) retaining and paying corporate income tax on its net long-term capital gain, with the shareholders reporting their proportional share of the undistributed long-term capital gain and receiving a credit or refund of their share of the tax paid by the Company. The Company distributed all of its 2020, 2019 and 2018 taxable income to its stockholders. Accordingly, no significant provisions for income taxes were necessary. The following table summarizes the federal income tax treatment for all distributions by the Company for the years ended 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Federal Income Tax Treatment of Share Distributions


	Years Ended December 31,
	2020		2019	2018
Common Share Distributions:	(Per share)
Ordinary dividends	$	3.32868	3.14000	2.14305
Nondividend distributions	—		—	—
Unrecaptured Section 1250 capital gain	—		—	—
Other capital gain	—		—	—
Total Common Share Distributions	$	3.32868	3.14000	2.14305

EastGroup applies the principles of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, Income Taxes, when evaluating and accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. With few exceptions, the Company’s 2016 and earlier tax years are closed for examination by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities. In accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, the Company had no significant uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

The Company’s income may differ for tax and financial reporting purposes principally because of (i) the timing of the deduction for the provision for possible losses and losses on investments, (ii) the timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the sale of investments, (iii) different income recognition methods for rental income, (iv) different depreciation methods and lives, (v) real estate properties having a different basis for tax and financial reporting purposes, (vi) mortgage loans having a different basis for tax and financial reporting purposes, thereby producing different gains upon collection of these loans, and (vii) differences in book and tax allowances and timing for stock-based compensation expense.

Income Recognition

The Company’s primary revenue is rental income from business distribution space. Minimum rental income from real estate operations is recognized on a straight-line basis. The straight-line rent calculation on leases includes the effects of rent concessions and scheduled rent increases, and the calculated straight-line rent income is recognized over the lives of the individual leases. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts receivable, including straight-line rents receivable, based upon estimates determined by management. Management specifically analyzes aged receivables, customer credit-worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Revenue is recognized on payments received from tenants for early terminations after all criteria have been met in accordance with ASC 840, Leases, prior to January 1, 2019, and in accordance with ASC 842, Leases, subsequently.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and in subsequent periods, issued ASU 2018-10, 2018-11, and 2018-20, all of which relate to the new lease accounting guidance. The Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance effective January 1, 2019, and has applied its provisions on a prospective basis. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged under ASU 2016-02. The Company’s primary revenue is rental income; as such, the Company is a lessor on a significant number of leases. The Company is continuing to account for its leases in substantially the same manner. The most significant changes for the Company related to lessor accounting include: (i) the new standard’s narrow definition of initial direct costs for leases, and (ii) the guidance applicable to recording uncollectible rents, as discussed in the following paragraphs.

The new standard’s narrow definition of initial direct costs for leases — The new definition of initial direct costs results in certain costs (primarily legal costs related to lease negotiations) being expensed rather than capitalized upon adoption of the new standard. EastGroup recorded Indirect leasing costs of $661,000 and $411,000 on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The guidance applicable to recording uncollectible rents — Upon adoption of the lease accounting guidance, reserves for uncollectible accounts are recorded as a reduction to revenue. Prior to adoption, reserves for uncollectible accounts were recorded as bad debt expenses. The standard also provides guidance related to calculating the reserves; however, those changes did not impact the Company.

EastGroup elected the practical expedient permitting lessors to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset to not separate non-lease components (such as common area maintenance) of a contract from the lease component to which they relate when specific criteria are met. The Company believes its leases meet the criteria.

The Company has applied the provisions of the new lease accounting standard and provided the required disclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

The table below presents the components of Income from real estate operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:


	Years Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
	(In thousands)

Lease income — operating leases	$	271,094	248,237
Variable lease income (1)	91,575		82,576
Income from real estate operations	$	362,669	330,813

(1)Primarily includes tenant reimbursements for real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance.

In April 2020, the FASB issued FASB Staff Question-and-Answer (“Q&A”)-Topic 842 and Topic 840: Accounting for Lease Concessions Related to the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic to clarify whether lease concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic require the application of lease modification guidance under FASB ASC 842, Leases. Under ASC 842,

an entity must determine, on a lease by lease basis, if a lease concession was the result of a new arrangement reached with the tenant, which would be accounted for under the lease modification framework, or if the lease concession was under the enforceable rights and obligations that existed in the original lease, which would be accounted for outside the lease modification framework. The Q&A provides a practical expedient for entities to make an election to account for certain lease concessions consistent with how those concessions would be accounted for outside of the lease modification framework. This election is available for concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that do not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee. The FASB staff provided two possible methods to account for deferral of payments with no substantive changes to the consideration in the original contract: (a) account for the concessions as if no changes to the lease contract were made and, (b) account for the deferred payments as variable lease payments. The Company has elected the practical expedient provided by the FASB staff and is accounting for lease concessions meeting the criterion as if no changes to the lease contract were made. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized approximately $1,483,000 in Income from real estate operations from lease concessions under this election.

Future Minimum Rental Receipts Under Non-Cancelable Leases

The Company’s leases with its customers may include various provisions such as scheduled rent increases, renewal options and termination options. The majority of the Company’s leases include defined rent increases rather than variable payments based on an index or unknown rate. In calculating the disclosures presented below, the Company included the fixed, non-cancelable terms of the leases. The following schedule indicates approximate future minimum rental receipts under non-cancelable leases for real estate properties by year as of December 31, 2020:


Years Ending December 31,	(In thousands)
2021	$	272,402
2022	235,872
2023	192,444
2024	148,871
2025	104,511
Thereafter	166,467
Total minimum receipts	$	1,120,567

The Company recognizes gains on sales of real estate in accordance with the principles set forth in the Codification. For each transaction, the Company evaluates whether the guidance in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASC 610, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets, is applicable. Upon closing of real estate transactions, the provisions of the Codification require consideration of whether the seller has a controlling financial interest in the entity that holds the nonfinancial asset after the transaction. In addition, the seller evaluates whether a contract exists under ASC 606 and whether the counterparty obtained control of each nonfinancial asset that is sold. If a contract exists and the counterparty obtained control of each nonfinancial asset, the seller derecognizes the assets at the close of the transaction with resulting gains or losses reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

The Company recognizes interest income on mortgage loans on the accrual method unless a significant uncertainty of collection exists. If a significant uncertainty exists, interest income is recognized as collected. If applicable, discounts on mortgage loans receivable are amortized over the lives of the loans using a method that does not differ materially from the interest method. The Company evaluates the collectibility of both interest and principal on each of its loans to determine whether the loans are impaired. A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of loss is calculated by comparing the recorded investment to the value determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at the loan’s effective interest rate or to the fair value of the underlying collateral (if the loan is collateralized) less costs to sell. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, there was no significant uncertainty of collection; therefore, interest income was recognized. As of December 31, 2019, the Company determined that no allowance for collectibility of the mortgage loans receivable was necessary. The Company's mortgage loans receivable was fully collected during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Real Estate Properties

Real Estate PropertiesEastGroup has one reportable segment–industrial properties. These properties are primarily located in major Sunbelt regions of the United States. The Company's properties have similar economic characteristics and as a result, have been aggregated into one reportable segment.

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows (including estimated future expenditures necessary to substantially complete the asset) expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not identify any impairment charges which should be recorded.

Depreciation of buildings and other improvements is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of generally 40 years for buildings and 3 to 15 years for improvements. Building improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repair expenses are charged to expense as incurred. Significant renovations and improvements that improve or extend the useful life of the assets are capitalized. Depreciation expense was $96,290,000, $86,590,000 and $76,007,000 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Development

Development and Value-Add PropertiesFor properties under development and value-add properties (defined in Note 2) acquired in the development stage, costs associated with development (i.e., land, construction costs, interest expense, property taxes and other direct and indirect costs associated with development) are aggregated into the total capitalized costs of the property. Included in these costs are management’s estimates for the portions of internal costs (primarily personnel costs) deemed related to such development activities. The internal costs are allocated to specific development projects based on development activity. As the property becomes occupied, depreciation commences on the occupied portion of the building, and costs are capitalized only for the portion of the building that remains vacant. The Company transfers properties from the development and value-add program to Real estate properties as follows: (i) for development properties, at the earlier of 90% occupancy or one year after completion of the shell construction, and (ii) for value-add properties, at the earlier of 90% occupancy or one year after acquisition. Upon the earlier of 90% occupancy or one year after completion of the shell construction, capitalization of development costs, including interest expense, property taxes and internal personnel costs, ceases and depreciation commences on the entire property (excluding the land).

Real Estate Held for Sale

Real Estate Held for SaleThe Company considers a real estate property to be held for sale when it meets the criteria established under ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, including when it is probable that the property will be sold within a year. Real estate properties held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell and are not depreciated while they are held for sale. In accordance with ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, the Company would report a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results when the component or group of components meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale or when the component or group of components is disposed of by sale or other than by sale. In addition, the Company would provide additional disclosures about both discontinued operations and the disposal of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations presentation in the financial statements. EastGroup performs an analysis of properties sold to determine whether the sales qualify for discontinued operations presentation.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative Instruments and Hedging ActivitiesEastGroup applies ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which requires all entities with derivative instruments to disclose information regarding how and why the entity uses derivative instruments and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect the entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. See Note 13 for a discussion of the Company's derivative instruments and hedging activities.

Cash Equivalents

Cash EquivalentsThe Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Debt Origination Costs

Debt origination costs are deferred and amortized over the term of each loan using the effective interest method. Amortization of debt issuance costs was $1,418,000, $1,344,000 and $1,352,000 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Amortization of facility fees was $790,000, $790,000 and $736,000 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Leasing Costs

Leasing costs are deferred and amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the lease. Leasing costs paid during the period are included in Changes in other assets and other liabilities in the Investing Activities section on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Leasing costs amortization expense was $14,449,000, $13,167,000 and $11,493,000 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Real Estate Property Acquisitions and Acquired Intangibles

Upon acquisition of real estate properties, EastGroup applies the principles of ASC 805, Business Combinations. The FASB Codification provides a framework for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under the guidance, companies are required to utilize an initial screening test to determine whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set is not a business. EastGroup determined that its real estate property acquisitions in 2020, 2019 and 2018 are considered to be acquisitions of groups of similar identifiable assets; therefore, the acquisitions are not considered to be acquisitions of a business. As a result, the Company has capitalized acquisition costs related to its 2020, 2019 and 2018 acquisitions.

The FASB Codification also provides guidance on how to properly determine the allocation of the purchase price among the individual components of both the tangible and intangible assets based on their relative fair values. If applicable, goodwill for business combinations is recorded when the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired. Factors considered by management in allocating the cost of the properties acquired include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. The allocation to tangible assets (land, building and improvements) is based upon management’s determination of the value of the property as if it were vacant using discounted cash flow models. Land is valued using comparable land sales specific to the applicable market, provided by a third-party. The Company determines whether any financing assumed is above or below market based upon comparison to similar financing terms for similar properties. The cost of the properties acquired may be adjusted based on indebtedness assumed from the seller that is determined to be above or below market rates.

The purchase price is also allocated among the following categories of intangible assets: the above or below market component of in-place leases, the value of in-place leases, and the value of customer relationships. The value allocable to the above or below market component of an acquired in-place lease is determined based upon the present value (using a discount rate reflecting the risks associated with the acquired leases) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining term, and (ii) management’s estimate of the amounts that would be paid using current market rents over the remaining term of the lease. The amounts allocated to above and below market leases are included in Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized to rental income over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The total amount of intangible assets is further allocated to in-place lease values and customer relationship values based upon management’s assessment of their respective values. These intangible assets are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized over the remaining term of the existing lease, or the anticipated life of the customer relationship, as applicable.

Amortization of above and below market leases increased rental income by $1,451,000, $1,229,000 and $667,000 in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Amortization expense for in-place lease intangibles was $5,620,000, $4,967,000 and $4,204,000 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Projected amortization of in-place lease intangibles for the next five years as of December 31, 2020 is as follows:


Years Ending December 31,	(In thousands)
2021	$	4,467
2022	3,143
2023	2,567
2024	1,956
2025	1,309

During 2020, the Company acquired the following operating properties: Wells Point One in Austin; Cherokee 75 Business Center 1 in Atlanta; and The Rock in Dallas. The Company also acquired one value-add property, Rancho Distribution Center in Los Angeles. At the time of acquisition, Rancho Distribution Center was classified in the lease-up phase. The total cost for

the properties acquired by the Company was $76,518,000, of which $46,240,000 was allocated to Real estate properties and $27,320,000 was allocated to Development and value-add properties. EastGroup allocated $23,565,000 of the total purchase price to land using third party land valuations for the Atlanta, Austin, Dallas and Los Angeles markets. The market values are considered to be Level 3 inputs as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (see Note 18 for additional information on ASC 820). Intangibles associated with the purchase of real estate were allocated as follows: $3,257,000 to in-place lease intangibles and $104,000 to above market leases (both included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets) and $403,000 to below market leases (included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets). These costs are amortized over the remaining lives of the associated leases in place at the time of acquisition.

During 2019, the Company acquired the following operating properties: Airways Business Center in Denver; 385 Business Park in Greenville; Grand Oaks 75 Business Center 1 in Tampa; and Siempre Viva Distribution Center 2 and Rocky Point Distribution Center 1 in San Diego. The Company also acquired the following value-add properties: Logistics Center 6 & 7 and Arlington Tech Centre 1 & 2 in Dallas; Grand Oaks 75 Business Center 2 in Tampa; Interstate Commons Distribution Center 2 in Phoenix; Southwest Commerce Center in Las Vegas; and Rocky Point Distribution Center 2 in San Diego. At the time of acquisition, these value-add properties were classified in the lease-up or under construction phase. The total cost for the properties acquired by the Company was $205,841,000, of which $105,301,000 was allocated to Real estate properties and $92,268,000 was allocated to Development and value-add properties. EastGroup allocated $46,778,000 of the total purchase price to land using third party land valuations for the Denver, Greenville, Tampa, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Diego markets. Logistics Center 6 & 7 is located on land under a ground lease; therefore, no value was allocated to land for this transaction. The market values are considered to be Level 3 inputs as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (see Note 18 for additional information on ASC 820). Intangibles associated with the purchase of real estate were allocated as follows: $10,020,000 to in-place lease intangibles and $344,000 to above market leases and $2,092,000 to below market leases. These costs are amortized over the remaining lives of the associated leases in place at the time of acquisition.

Also during 2019, EastGroup acquired 6.5 acres of operating land in San Diego for $13,386,000. In connection with the acquisition, the Company allocated value to land and below market leases. EastGroup recorded land of $13,979,000 based on third party land valuations for the San Diego market. The market values are considered to be Level 3 inputs as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. This land, which is included in Real estate properties on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, is currently leased to a tenant that operates a parking lot on the site. The Company recorded $593,000 to below market leases in connection with this land acquisition. These costs are amortized over the remaining life of the associated lease in place at the time of acquisition.

EastGroup also acquired 41.6 acres of operating land in San Diego for $15,282,000. This land is included in Real estate properties on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During 2019 and 2020, this land parcel was leased (on a month-to-month basis) to various tenants operating outdoor storage on the site.

During 2019, EastGroup also acquired a small parcel of land (0.5 acres) adjacent to its Yosemite Distribution Center in Milpitas (San Francisco), California, for $472,000. This land is included in Real estate properties on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During 2018, the Company acquired the following operating properties: Gwinnett 316 in Atlanta; Eucalyptus Distribution Center in Chino (Los Angeles); Allen Station I & II in Dallas; and Greenhill Distribution Center in Austin. The Company also acquired one value-add property, Siempre Viva Distribution Center in San Diego. At the time of acquisition, Siempre Viva was classified in the lease-up phase. The total cost for the properties acquired by the Company was $71,086,000, of which $54,537,000 was allocated to Real estate properties and $13,934,000 was allocated to Development and value-add properties. EastGroup allocated $23,263,000 of the total purchase price to land using third party land valuations for the Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, San Diego and Chino (Los Angeles) markets. The market values are considered to be Level 3 inputs as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (see Note 18 for additional information on ASC 820). Intangibles associated with the purchase of real estate were allocated as follows: $4,350,000 to in-place lease intangibles, $21,000 to above market leases and $1,756,000 to below market leases. These costs are amortized over the remaining lives of the associated leases in place at the time of acquisition.

The Company periodically reviews the recoverability of goodwill (at least annually) and the recoverability of other intangibles (on a quarterly basis) for possible impairment. In management’s opinion, no impairment of goodwill and other intangibles existed at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based CompensationIn May 2004, the stockholders of the Company approved the EastGroup Properties, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (“the 2004 Plan”), which was further amended by the Board of Directors in September 2005 and December 2006. This plan authorized the

issuance of common stock to employees in the form of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock units, performance shares, bonus stock or stock in lieu of cash compensation.

In April 2013, the Board of Directors adopted the EastGroup Properties, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Equity Plan”) upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee; the 2013 Equity Plan was approved by the Company's stockholders and became effective May 29, 2013. The 2013 Equity Plan was further amended by the Board of Directors in March 2017. The 2013 Equity Plan replaced the 2004 Plan. Typically, the Company issues new shares to fulfill stock grants or upon the exercise of stock options.

EastGroup applies the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, to account for its stock-based compensation plans. ASC 718 requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements and that the cost be measured on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The cost for market-based awards and awards that only require service are expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods. The cost for performance-based awards is determined using the graded vesting attribution method which recognizes each separate vesting portion of the award as a separate award on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. This method accelerates the expensing of the award compared to the straight-line method.

The total compensation expense for service and performance based awards is based upon the fair market value of the shares on the grant date. The grant date fair value for awards that have been granted and are subject to a future market condition (total shareholder return) are determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the awards.

During the restricted period for awards no longer subject to contingencies, the Company accrues dividends and holds the certificates for the shares; however, the employee can vote the shares. Share certificates and dividends are delivered to the employee as they vest.

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 EastGroup Properties, Inc. Common Stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding does not include any potentially dilutive securities or any unvested restricted shares of common stock. These unvested restricted shares, although classified as issued and outstanding, are considered forfeitable until the restrictions lapse and will not be included in the basic EPS calculation until the shares are vested.

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 EastGroup Properties, Inc. Common Stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock. The dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock is determined using the treasury stock method.

Use of Estimates

Use of EstimatesThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses during the reporting period and to disclose material contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Risks and Uncertainties [Policy Text Block]

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, all of which were applicable to periods through December 31, 2020. 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. When requests were made, they were handled on a case-by-case basis, and the Company’s responses were 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.

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.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

EastGroup has evaluated all ASUs recently released by the FASB through the date the financial statements were issued and determined that the following ASUs apply to the Company.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and subsequently issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses in November 2018. The ASUs amend guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost, Topic 326 eliminates the probable

initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. For available for sale debt securities (EastGroup does not currently hold any and does not intend to hold any in the future), credit losses should be measured in a similar manner to current GAAP; however, Topic 326 requires that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than a write-down. The ASUs affect entities holding financial assets and are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2018-19 on January 1, 2020, and the adoption did not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The ASU is intended to improve the effectiveness of fair value measurement disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 on January 1, 2020, and the adoption did not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or disclosures.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU 2020-04 contains practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance in ASU 2020-04 is optional and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company elected to apply the hedge accounting expedients related to probability and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of these expedients preserves the presentation of derivatives consistent with past presentation. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the guidance and may apply other elections as applicable as additional changes in the market occur.

Classification of Book Overdraft on Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Classification of Book Overdraft on Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsThe Company classifies changes in book overdraft in which the bank has not advanced cash to the Company to cover outstanding checks as an operating activity. Such amounts are included in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and prepaid rent in the Operating Activities section on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.