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EASTGROUP PROPERTIES INC - Quarter Report: 2011 September (Form 10-Q)

form10q.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011                                       COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-07094



EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)



   
MARYLAND
13-2711135
 
   
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
 
   
of incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
 
         
   
190 EAST CAPITOL STREET
   
   
SUITE 400
   
   
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
39201
 
   
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)
 
         
   
Registrant’s telephone number:  (601) 354-3555
   



Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES (x) NO ( )

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES (x)   NO ( )

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.   (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer (x)     Accelerated Filer ( )      Non-accelerated Filer ( )     Smaller Reporting Company ( )

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ( ) NO (x)

The number of shares of common stock, $.0001 par value, outstanding as of October 21, 2011 was 27,080,371.


 
 
1

 

EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

 
     
Page
 
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     
         
Item 1.
Financial Statements
     
         
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets, September 30, 2011 (unaudited)
and December 31, 2010
 
3
 
         
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (unaudited)
 
4
 
         
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the nine months
ended September 30, 2011 (unaudited)
 
5
 
         
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months
ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (unaudited)
 
6
 
         
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
7
 
         
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
 
14
 
         
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
24
 
         
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
25
 
         
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
     
         
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
25
 
         
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
25
 
         
SIGNATURES
       
         
Authorized signatures
   
26
 



 
 
2

 

EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
  Real estate properties 
  $ 1,486,907       1,447,455  
  Development 
    99,261       73,722  
      1,586,168       1,521,177  
      Less accumulated depreciation 
    (439,465 )     (403,187 )
      1,146,703       1,117,990  
                 
  Unconsolidated investment 
    2,740       2,740  
  Cash 
    447       137  
  Other assets 
    62,303       62,409  
      TOTAL ASSETS 
  $ 1,212,193       1,183,276  
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
                 
LIABILITIES
               
  Mortgage notes payable 
  $ 634,108       644,424  
  Notes payable to banks 
    144,298       91,294  
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses 
    30,404       20,969  
  Other liabilities 
    15,392       15,083  
     Total Liabilities
    824,202       771,770  
                 
EQUITY
               
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
  Common shares; $.0001 par value; 70,000,000 shares authorized;
    27,080,371 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and
    26,973,531 at December 31, 2010 
    3       3  
  Excess shares; $.0001 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized;
    no shares issued
           
  Additional paid-in capital on common shares 
    593,923       591,106  
  Distributions in excess of earnings 
    (208,680 )     (182,253 )
     Total Stockholders’ Equity
    385,246       408,856  
Noncontrolling interest in joint ventures
    2,745       2,650  
     Total Equity
    387,991       411,506  
      TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 
  $ 1,212,193       1,183,276  


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

 
 
3

 

EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)




   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
REVENUES
                       
  Income from real estate operations 
  $ 43,942       43,118       130,441       131,077  
  Other income 
    20       20       64       108  
      43,962       43,138       130,505       131,185  
EXPENSES
                               
  Expenses from real estate operations 
    12,628       13,176       37,663       39,745  
  Depreciation and amortization 
    14,437       14,648       42,790       44,071  
  General and administrative 
    2,551       2,521       8,127       7,603  
  Acquisition costs 
    55             55       72  
      29,671       30,345       88,635       91,491  
OPERATING INCOME 
    14,291       12,793       41,870       39,694  
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
                               
  Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investment
    87       84       260       251  
  Gain on sales of non-operating real estate 
    9       9       27       28  
  Interest income 
    84       85       251       252  
  Interest expense 
    (8,680 )     (8,845 )     (26,100 )     (26,515 )
                                 
NET INCOME 
    5,791       4,126       16,308       13,710  
  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in joint ventures
    (121 )     (103 )     (354 )     (307 )
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES,
  INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS 
  $ 5,670       4,023       15,954       13,403  
                                 
BASIC PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME
  ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
                               
  COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
                               
  Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ .21       .15       .59       .50  
  Weighted average shares outstanding 
    26,839       26,758       26,823       26,747  
                                 
DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME
  ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
                               
  COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
                               
  Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ .21       .15       .59       .50  
  Weighted average shares outstanding 
    26,914       26,828       26,894       26,810  
                                 
                                 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
 
                               

 
 
4

 

EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)


                               
         
Additional
   
Distributions
   
Noncontrolling
       
   
Common
   
Paid-In
   
In Excess
   
Interest in
       
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Of Earnings
   
Joint Ventures
   
Total
 
       
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2010                                                                
  $ 3       591,106       (182,253 )     2,650       411,506  
  Net income                                                                
                15,954       354       16,308  
  Common dividends declared – $1.56 per share
                (42,381 )           (42,381 )
  Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures
          2,203                   2,203  
  Issuance of 15,000 shares of common stock,
    common stock offering, net of expenses
          450                   450  
  Issuance of 6,000 shares of common stock, options exercised
          133                   133  
  Issuance of 4,528 shares of common stock,
    dividend reinvestment plan   
          188                   188  
  Withheld 3,564 shares of common stock to satisfy tax
    withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of
    restricted stock
          (157 )                 (157 )
  Distributions to noncontrolling interest
                      (259 )     (259 )
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
  $ 3       593,923       (208,680 )     2,745       387,991  


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

 
 
5

 

EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
    Net income                                                                                                       
  $ 16,308       13,710  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
       Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations                                                                                                       
    42,790       44,071  
       Amortization of mortgage loan premiums                                                                                                       
    (94 )     (93 )
       Gain on sales of land and real estate investments                                                                                                       
    (27 )     (28 )
       Amortization of discount on mortgage loan receivable                                                                                                       
    (10 )     (10 )
       Stock-based compensation expense                                                                                                       
    1,910       1,472  
       Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investment, net of distributions
          19  
       Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
         Accrued income and other assets                                                                                                       
    1,007       1,587  
         Accounts payable, accrued expenses and prepaid rent                                                                                                       
    7,042       3,087  
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                                                                       
    68,926       63,815  
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
    Real estate development                                                                                                       
    (28,982 )     (6,724 )
    Purchases of real estate                                                                                                       
    (23,450 )     (23,906 )
    Real estate improvements                                                                                                       
    (14,089 )     (15,438 )
    Repayments on mortgage loans receivable                                                                                                       
    27       28  
    Changes in accrued development costs                                                                                                       
    2,313       (418 )
    Changes in other assets and other liabilities                                                                                                       
    (5,041 )     (5,058 )
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                                                                                       
    (69,222 )     (51,516 )
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
    Proceeds from bank borrowings                                                                                                       
    213,034       139,343  
    Repayments on bank borrowings                                                                                                       
    (160,030 )     (94,280 )
    Proceeds from mortgage notes payable                                                                                                       
    65,000        
    Principal payments on mortgage notes payable                                                                                                       
    (75,222 )     (14,714 )
    Debt issuance costs                                                                                                       
    (632 )     (60 )
    Distributions paid to stockholders                                                                                                       
    (41,880 )     (42,018 )
    Proceeds from common stock offerings                                                                                                       
    450       303  
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                                                                                       
    133       338  
    Proceeds from dividend reinvestment plan                                                                                                       
    184       201  
    Other                                                                                                       
    (431 )     (2,320 )
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    606       (13,207 )
                 
                 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    310       (908 )
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    137       1,062  
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 447       154  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
               
    Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized of $2,695 and $2,705
       for 2011 and 2010, respectively                                                                                                       
  $ 25,340       25,892  
    Fair value of common stock awards issued to employees and directors, net of forfeitures
    3,827       5,174  
                 
                 
                 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
 
               

 
 
6

 
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(1)  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited financial statements of EastGroup Properties, Inc. (“EastGroup” or “the Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In management’s opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements contained in the 2010 annual report on Form 10-K and the notes thereto.

Certain reclassifications have been made in the 2010 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2011 presentation.


(2)  PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EastGroup, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its investment in any joint ventures in which the Company has a controlling interest.  At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had a controlling interest in two joint ventures: the 80% owned University Business Center and the 80% owned Castilian Research Center.  The Company records 100% of the joint ventures’ assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses with 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.


(3)  USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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.


(4)  REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES

EastGroup has one reportable segment – industrial properties.  These properties are concentrated in major Sunbelt markets of the United States, primarily in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina, have similar economic characteristics and also meet the other criteria that permit the properties to be 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.  As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company determined no impairment charges on the Company’s real estate properties were necessary.

Depreciation of buildings and other improvements, including personal property, is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of generally 40 years for buildings and 3 to 15 years for improvements and personal property.  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 $12,175,000 and $36,278,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $12,222,000 and $36,429,000 for the same periods in 2010.

The Company’s real estate properties at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Real estate properties:
           
   Land                                                                  
  $ 226,398       221,523  
   Buildings and building improvements                                                                  
    1,008,527       985,798  
   Tenant and other improvements                                                                  
    251,982       240,134  
Development                                                                  
    99,261       73,722  
      1,586,168       1,521,177  
   Less accumulated depreciation                                                                  
    (439,465 )     (403,187 )
    $ 1,146,703       1,117,990  


 
 
7

 
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(5)  DEVELOPMENT

During the period in which a property is under development, 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 directly or indirectly related to such development activities.  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.  When the property becomes 80% occupied or one year after completion of the shell construction (whichever comes first), capitalization of development costs ceases.  The properties are then transferred to real estate properties, and depreciation commences on the entire property (excluding the land).


(6)  BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES

Upon acquisition of real estate properties, the Company applies the principles of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805, Business Combinations, which requires that acquisition-related costs be recognized as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received.  The 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 respective fair values.  Goodwill is recorded when the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired.  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.  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.

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 fair market rates 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 expense for in-place lease intangibles was $661,000 and $1,693,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $784,000 and $2,569,000 for the same periods in 2010.  Amortization of above and below market leases decreased rental income by $71,000 and $256,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and decreased rental income by $168,000 and $346,000 for the same periods in 2010.
 
 
During the first nine months of 2011, EastGroup acquired the following operating properties:  Lakeview Business Center and Ridge Creek Distribution Center II in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Broadway Industrial Park, Building VII, in Tempe, Arizona.  The Company purchased these properties for a total cost of $23,450,000, of which $22,090,000 was allocated to real estate properties.  The Company allocated $4,875,000 of the total purchase price to land using third party land valuations for the Charlotte and Tempe markets.  The market values are considered to be Level 3 inputs as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (see Note 17 for additional information on ASC 820).  Intangibles associated with the purchase of real estate were allocated as follows:  $1,320,000 to in-place lease intangibles, $66,000 to above market leases (both included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets), and $26,000 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.

EastGroup expensed acquisition-related costs of $55,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The Company did not expense any acquisition-related costs during the three months ended September 30, 2010.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, EastGroup expensed acquisition-related costs of $72,000 in connection with the acquisitions of Commerce Park 2 & 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina; Ocean View Corporate Center in San Diego, California; and East University Distribution Center III in Phoenix, Arizona.

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 September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 
 
8

 
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(7)  REAL ESTATE HELD FOR SALE/DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

The 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.  A key indicator of probability of sale is whether the buyer has a significant amount of earnest money at risk.  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 the guidelines established under the Codification, the results of operations for the properties sold or held for sale during the reported periods are shown under Discontinued Operations on the Consolidated Statements of Income.  Interest expense is not generally allocated to the properties held for sale or whose operations are included under Discontinued Operations unless the mortgage is required to be paid in full upon the sale of the property.

EastGroup did not sell any real estate properties during 2010 or during the first nine months of 2011, and the Company had no real estate properties held for sale at September 30, 2011 or December 31, 2010.  Therefore, the Company has no Discontinued Operations on the Consolidated Statements of Income.


(8)  OTHER ASSETS

A summary of the Company’s Other Assets follows:
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
(In thousands)
 
             
Leasing costs (principally commissions), net of accumulated amortization of
    $15,799 and $18,566 for 2011 and 2010, respectively
  $ 22,776       22,274  
Straight-line rent receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $311
    and $282 for 2011 and 2010, respectively                                                                                  
    20,208       18,694  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $484 and $706
    for 2011 and 2010, respectively                                                                                  
    2,629       2,460  
Mortgage loans receivable, net of discount of $46 and $56 for 2011 and 2010,
    respectively                                                                                  
    4,114       4,131  
Loan costs, net of accumulated amortization of $4,173 and $4,129 for 2011
    and 2010, respectively                                                                                  
    3,195       3,358  
Acquired in-place lease intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of
    $8,136 and $6,443 for 2011 and 2010, respectively
    2,672       3,046  
Goodwill                                                                                  
    990       990  
Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                                                  
    5,719       7,456  
    $ 62,303       62,409  


(9)  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

A summary of the Company’s Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses follows:
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
(In thousands)
 
             
Property taxes payable                                                                                  
  $ 17,859       9,776  
Interest payable                                                                                  
    2,685       2,625  
Dividends payable on nonvested restricted stock                                                                                  
    1,292       791  
Development costs payable                                                                                  
    2,986       673  
Other payables and accrued expenses                                                                                  
    5,582       7,104  
    $ 30,404       20,969  


(10)  OTHER LIABILITIES

A summary of the Company’s Other Liabilities follows:
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
(In thousands)
 
             
Security deposits                                                                                  
  $ 8,887       8,299  
Prepaid rent and other deferred income                                                                                  
    5,991       6,440  
Other liabilities                                                                                  
    514       344  
    $ 15,392       15,083  


 
 
9

 
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(11)  COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income plus all other changes in equity from non-owner sources.  The components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss are summarized below.  See Note 12 for information regarding the Company’s interest rate swap, which was settled in October 2010.

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In thousands)
 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:
           
Balance at beginning of period 
  $       (159 )           (318 )
    Change in fair value of interest rate swap                                                                      
          76             235  
Balance at end of period                                                                      
  $       (83 )           (83 )


(12)  DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  ASC 820 also provides guidance for using fair value to measure financial assets and liabilities.  The Codification requires disclosure of the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, including measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active (Level 2), and significant valuation assumptions that are not readily observable in the market (Level 3).

ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, 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.  EastGroup does not currently have any derivatives or hedging instruments.

On October 1, 2010, EastGroup repaid its $8,770,000 mortgage loan on the Tower Automotive Center.  Until the repayment, the Company had an interest rate swap agreement to hedge its exposure to the variable interest rate on this mortgage.  The Company’s interest rate swap was reported at fair value and shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under Other Liabilities.  The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap was determined by estimating the expected cash flows over the life of the swap using the mid-market rate and price environment as of the last trading day of the reporting period.  This market information is considered a Level 2 input as defined by ASC 820.  Under the swap agreement, the Company effectively paid a fixed rate of interest over the term of the agreement without the exchange of the underlying notional amount.  This swap was designated as a cash flow hedge and was considered to be fully effective in hedging the variable rate risk associated with the Tower mortgage loan.  Changes in the fair value of the swap were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (see Note 11).  The Company did not hold or issue this type of derivative contract for trading or speculative purposes.
 
 

(13)  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 nonvested restricted stock and stock options had the options been exercised.  The dilutive effect of stock options and their equivalents (such as nonvested 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.


 
 
10

 
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

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

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In thousands)
 
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME
   ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
                       
   COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
                       
  Numerator net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 5,670       4,023       15,954       13,403  
  Denominator weighted average shares outstanding
    26,839       26,758       26,823       26,747  
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME
   ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
                               
   COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
                               
  Numerator net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 5,670       4,023       15,954       13,403  
  Denominator:
                               
    Weighted average shares outstanding 
    26,839       26,758       26,823       26,747  
    Common stock options 
    5       9       7       11  
    Nonvested restricted stock 
    70       61       64       52  
      Total Shares 
    26,914       26,828       26,894       26,810  



(14)  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Equity Incentive Plan
In May 2004, the stockholders of the Company approved the EastGroup Properties, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) that authorized the issuance of up to 1,900,000 shares 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.  The Plan was further amended by the Board of Directors in September 2005 and December 2006.  Total shares available for grant were 1,407,156 at September 30, 2011.  Typically, the Company issues new shares to fulfill stock grants or upon the exercise of stock options.

Stock-based compensation cost was $555,000 and $1,903,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, of which $102,000 and $188,000 were capitalized as part of the Company’s development costs.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, stock-based compensation cost was $470,000 and $1,331,000, respectively, of which $10,000 and $39,000 were capitalized as part of the Company’s development costs.

Equity Awards
In the second quarter of 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an equity compensation plan for its executive officers based upon the attainment of certain annual performance goals.  These goals are for the period ending December 31, 2011, so any shares issued upon attainment of these goals will be issued after that date.  The number of shares to be issued could range from zero to 50,705.  These shares will vest 20% on the date shares are determined and awarded and 20% per year on each January 1 for the subsequent four years.

Also in the second quarter of 2011, EastGroup’s Board of Directors approved an equity compensation plan for the Company’s executive officers based on EastGroup’s absolute and relative total stockholder return for the five-year period ending December 31, 2011.  Any shares issued pursuant to this equity compensation plan will be issued after that date.  The number of shares to be issued could range from zero to 53,680.  These shares will vest 25% per year on January 1 in years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to a special vesting provision adopted by the Company’s Compensation Committee, shares issued to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, David H. Hoster II, will become fully vested no later than January 1, 2014.

Following is a summary of the total shares granted, forfeited and delivered (vested) to employees with the related weighted average grant date fair value share prices.  Of the shares that vested in the first quarter of 2011, the Company withheld 3,564 shares to satisfy the tax obligations for those employees who elected this option as permitted under the applicable equity plan.  As of the vesting date, the fair value of shares that vested during the first quarter of 2011 was $613,000.  There were no shares that vested in the second or third quarters of 2011.


 
 
11

 
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


Award Activity:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2011
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2011
 
   
 
 
Shares
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
   
 
 
Shares
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Nonvested at beginning of period
    235,162     $ 38.89       170,575     $ 36.29  
Granted
                78,491       45.05  
Forfeited 
    (233 )     35.85       (233 )     35.85  
Vested 
                (13,904 )     41.77  
Nonvested at end of period
    234,929     $ 38.89       234,929     $ 38.89  


Directors Equity Plan
In May 2005, the stockholders of the Company approved the EastGroup Properties, Inc. 2005 Directors Equity Incentive Plan that authorized the issuance of up to 50,000 shares of common stock through awards of shares and restricted shares granted to non-employee directors of the Company.  The Directors Equity Incentive Plan was further amended by the Board of Directors in May 2006, May 2008 and May 2011.  Stock-based compensation expense for directors was $75,000 and $195,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $60,000 and $180,000 for the same periods in 2010.


(15) 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, it may affect the Company’s ability to make distributions to its shareholders, service debt, or meet other financial obligations.


(16)  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

EastGroup has evaluated all Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) released by the FASB through the date the financial statements were issued and determined that the following ASUs apply to the Company.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, which provides guidance about how fair value should be applied where it is already required or permitted under U.S. GAAP.  The ASU does not extend the use of fair value or require additional fair value measurements, but rather provides explanations about how to measure fair value.  ASU 2011-04 requires prospective application and will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company believes the adoption of this ASU will have an immaterial impact on the Company’s overall financial position and results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income,  which eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in equity and requires that all nonowner changes in equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  ASU 2011-05 requires retrospective application and will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company believes the adoption of ASU 2011-05 will have an immaterial impact on the Company’s disclosures of comprehensive income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount before applying the two-step goodwill impairment test.  Under this ASU, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount.  ASU 2011-08 is effective for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company believes the adoption of this ASU will have an immaterial impact on the Company.


 
 
12

 
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(17)  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  ASC 820 also provides guidance for using fair value to measure financial assets and liabilities.  The Codification requires disclosure of the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, including measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active (Level 2), and significant valuation assumptions that are not readily observable in the market (Level 3).

The Company’s interest rate swap, as discussed in Note 12, was reported at fair value and shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under Other Liabilities.  The swap was settled on October 1, 2010, with the repayment of the Company’s $8,770,000 mortgage loan on the Tower Automotive Center.  Until the repayment, the fair value of the interest rate swap was determined by estimating the expected cash flows over the life of the swap using the mid-market rate and price environment as of the last trading day of the reporting period.  This market information is considered a Level 2 input as defined by ASC 820.

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair
Value
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair
Value
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Financial Assets:
                       
   Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 447       447       137       137  
   Mortgage loans receivable,
       net of discount                                         
    4,114       4,320       4,131       4,199  
Financial Liabilities:
                               
   Mortgage notes payable
    634,108       680,931       644,424       671,527  
   Notes payable to banks                                         
    144,298       144,064       91,294       89,818  

Carrying amounts shown in the table are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the indicated captions, except as indicated in the notes below.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents:  The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments.
Mortgage loans receivable, net of discount (included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets):  The fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities (Level 2 input).
Mortgage notes payable: The fair value of the Company’s mortgage notes payable is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at the rates currently offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities, as advised by the Company’s bankers (Level 2 input).
Notes payable to banks: The fair value of the Company’s notes payable to banks is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at current market rates (Level 2 input).



(18)  SUBSEQUENT EVENT

In October 2011, EastGroup executed an application for a $54 million, non-recourse first mortgage loan with a fixed interest rate of 4.09%, a 10-year term and a 20-year amortization schedule.  The loan, which will be secured by properties containing 1.4 million square feet, is expected to close in January 2012.  The Company plans to use the proceeds of this mortgage loan to reduce variable rate bank borrowings.
 
 
 
 
13

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

OVERVIEW
EastGroup’s goal is to maximize shareholder value by being a leading provider in its markets of functional, flexible, and quality business distribution space for location sensitive tenants primarily in the 5,000 to 50,000 square foot range.  The Company acquires, develops and operates distribution facilities, the majority of which are clustered around major transportation features in supply constrained submarkets in major Sunbelt regions.  The Company’s core markets are in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina.

The operations of the Company have improved during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period of 2010.  Occupancy has stabilized and is currently improving, but the Company still experiences decreases in rental rates.  The Company is able to obtain financing at attractive rates, but mortgage loan proceeds as a percentage of property values have decreased, and lenders’ underwriting standards have become stricter. The Company believes its current operating cash flow and lines of credit provide the capacity to fund the operations of the Company for the remainder of 2011 and 2012.  The Company also believes it can issue common and/or preferred equity and obtain mortgage financing from insurance companies and financial institutions as evidenced by the closing of a $65 million, non-recourse first mortgage loan in May 2011, the signing of an application for a $54 million, non-recourse first mortgage loan in October 2011, and the continuous common equity offering program, which provided net proceeds to the Company of $450,000 in the third quarter of 2011, as described in Liquidity and Capital Resources.

The Company’s primary revenue is rental income; as such, EastGroup’s primary challenge is leasing space.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, leases expired on 3,390,000 square feet (11.9%) of EastGroup’s total square footage of 28,556,000, and the Company was successful in renewing or re-leasing 85% of the expiring square feet.  In addition, EastGroup leased 1,984,000 square feet of other vacant space during this period.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, average rental rates on new and renewal leases decreased by 13.1%.  Property net operating income (PNOI) from same properties increased 3.6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, as compared to the same quarter in 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, PNOI from same properties increased 0.5% as compared to the same period last year.

EastGroup’s total leased percentage was 93.9% at September 30, 2011, compared to 90.0% at September 30, 2010.  Leases scheduled to expire for the remainder of 2011 were 2.0% of the portfolio on a square foot basis at September 30, 2011, and this figure was reduced to 1.4% as of October 21, 2011.

The Company generates new sources of leasing revenue through its acquisition and development programs.  EastGroup continues to see targeted development as a contributor to the Company’s long-term growth.  The Company mitigates risks associated with development through a Board-approved maximum level of land held for development and by adjusting development start dates according to leasing activity.  During the first nine months of 2011, the Company acquired three operating properties (451,000 square feet) in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Tempe, Arizona, for $23,450,000 and 165 acres of development land in Houston, Texas, and Chandler (Phoenix), Arizona, for $13,290,000.  As of September 30, 2011, EastGroup’s development program consisted of six projects (411,000 square feet) located in Houston and San Antonio, Texas, and Orlando, Florida.  The projected total cost for the development projects, which were collectively 65% leased as of October 21, 2011, is $31.7 million, of which $14.0 million remained to be invested as of September 30, 2011.

During the first nine months of 2011, the Company initially funded its acquisition and development programs through its $225 million lines of credit (as discussed in Liquidity and Capital Resources).  As market conditions permit, EastGroup issues equity, including preferred equity, and/or employs fixed-rate debt to replace short-term bank borrowings.

EastGroup has one reportable segment – industrial properties.  These properties are primarily located in major Sunbelt regions of the United States, have similar economic characteristics and also meet the other criteria permitting the properties to be aggregated into one reportable segment.  The Company’s chief decision makers use two primary measures of operating results in making decisions:  (1) property net operating income (PNOI), defined as income from real estate operations less property operating expenses (before interest expense and depreciation and amortization), and (2) funds from operations attributable to common stockholders (FFO), defined as net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), excluding gains or losses from sales of depreciable real estate property, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.  The Company calculates FFO based on the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts’ (NAREIT) definition.

 
 
14

 

PNOI is a supplemental industry reporting measurement used to evaluate the performance of the Company’s real estate investments. The Company believes the exclusion of depreciation and amortization in the industry’s calculation of PNOI provides a supplemental indicator of the properties’ performance since real estate values have historically risen or fallen with market conditions.  PNOI as calculated by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled but differently calculated measures for other real estate investment trusts (REITs).  The major factors influencing PNOI are occupancy levels, acquisitions and sales, development properties that achieve stabilized operations, rental rate increases or decreases, and the recoverability of operating expenses.  The Company’s success depends largely upon its ability to lease space and to recover from tenants the operating costs associated with those leases.  PNOI is comprised of Income from real estate operations, less Expenses from real estate operations.  PNOI was calculated as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

   
Three Months Ended 
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Income from real estate operations
  $ 43,942       43,118       130,441       131,077  
Expenses from real estate operations
    (12,628 )     (13,176 )     (37,663 )     (39,745 )
PROPERTY NET OPERATING INCOME
  $ 31,314       29,942       92,778       91,332  


Income from real estate operations is comprised of rental income, pass-through income and other real estate income including lease termination fees.  Expenses from real estate operations is comprised of property taxes, insurance, utilities, repair and maintenance expenses, management fees, other operating costs and bad debt expense.  Generally, the Company’s most significant operating expenses are property taxes and insurance.  Tenant leases may be net leases in which the total operating expenses are recoverable, modified gross leases in which some of the operating expenses are recoverable, or gross leases in which no expenses are recoverable (gross leases represent only a small portion of the Company’s total leases).  Increases in property operating expenses are fully recoverable under net leases and recoverable to a high degree under modified gross leases.  Modified gross leases often include base year amounts and expense increases over these amounts are recoverable.  The Company’s exposure to property operating expenses is primarily due to vacancies and leases for occupied space that limit the amount of expenses that can be recovered.

The following table presents reconciliations of Net Income to PNOI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

   
Three Months Ended 
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In thousands)
 
NET INCOME
  $ 5,791       4,126       16,308       13,710  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investment 
    (87 )     (84 )     (260 )     (251 )
Interest income 
    (84 )     (85 )     (251 )     (252 )
Other income 
    (20 )     (20 )     (64 )     (108 )
Gain on sales of non-operating real estate
    (9 )     (9 )     (27 )     (28 )
Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations
    14,437       14,648       42,790       44,071  
Interest expense 
    8,680       8,845       26,100       26,515  
General and administrative expense 
    2,551       2,521       8,127       7,603  
Acquisition costs 
    55             55       72  
PROPERTY NET OPERATING INCOME
  $ 31,314       29,942       92,778       91,332  


The Company believes FFO is a meaningful supplemental measure of operating performance for equity REITs.  The Company believes excluding depreciation and amortization in the calculation of FFO is appropriate since real estate values have historically increased or decreased based on market conditions.  FFO is not considered as an alternative to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indication of the Company’s financial performance, nor is it a measure of the Company’s liquidity or indicative of funds available to provide for the Company’s cash needs, including its ability to make distributions.  In addition, FFO, as reported by the Company, may not be comparable to FFO by other REITs that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition.  The Company’s key drivers affecting FFO are changes in PNOI (as discussed above), interest rates, the amount of leverage the Company employs and general and administrative expense.  The following table presents reconciliations of Net Income Attributable to EastGroup Properties, Inc. Common Stockholders to FFO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

 
 
15

 


   
Three Months Ended 
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP
  PROPERTIES,  INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
  $ 5,670       4,023       15,954       13,403  
Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations
    14,437       14,648       42,790       44,071  
Depreciation from unconsolidated investment 
    33       33       100       99  
Noncontrolling interest depreciation and amortization
    (54 )     (52 )     (162 )     (157 )
FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (FFO) ATTRIBUTABLE TO
 COMMON STOCKHOLDERS 
  $ 20,086       18,652       58,682       57,416  
                                 
Net income attributable to common stockholders per diluted share
  $ .21       .15       .59       .50  
Funds from operations (FFO) attributable to common stockholders
   per diluted share
    .75       .70       2.18       2.14  
Diluted shares for earnings per share and funds from operations
    26,914       26,828       26,894       26,810  

 
The Company analyzes the following performance trends in evaluating the progress of the Company:

· 
The FFO change per share represents the increase or decrease in FFO per share from the current period compared to the same period in the prior year.  FFO per share for the third quarter of 2011 was $.75 per share compared with $.70 per share for the same period of 2010, an increase of 7.1% per share.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, FFO was $2.18 per share compared with $2.14 per share for the same period of 2010, an increase of 1.9% per share.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2011, PNOI increased by $1,372,000 primarily due to increases in PNOI of $1,083,000 from same property operations, $215,000 from 2011 acquisitions, and $70,000 from newly developed properties.  Interest expense was $8,680,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to $8,845,000 for the same period of 2010.  Interest expense decreased due to lower interest rates on the refinancing of two mortgage loans in 2011, offset by higher average loan balances in 2011 compared to 2010.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, PNOI increased by $1,446,000 mainly due to increases in PNOI of $730,000 from newly developed properties, $448,000 from same property operations, and $255,000 from 2010 and 2011 acquisitions.  Interest expense was $26,100,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to $26,515,000 for the same period of 2010.  The decrease was mainly due to lower interest rates on the refinancing of two mortgage loans in 2011.

· 
Same property net operating income change represents the PNOI increase or decrease for the same operating properties owned during the entire current period and prior year reporting period.  PNOI from same properties increased 3.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and increased 0.5% for the nine months.
 
· 
Occupancy is the percentage of leased square footage for which the lease term has commenced as compared to the total leasable square footage as of the close of the reporting period.  Occupancy at September 30, 2011, was 93.0%.  Quarter-end occupancy ranged from 88.3% to 93.0% over the period from September 30, 2010 to September 30, 2011.
 
· 
Rental rate change represents the rental rate increase or decrease on new and renewal leases compared to the prior leases on the same space.  Rental rate decreases on new and renewal leases (6.1% of total square footage) averaged 13.8% for the third quarter of 2011.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, rental rate decreases on new and renewal leases (17.1% of total square footage) averaged 13.1%.

· 
Termination fee income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, was $52,000 and $542,000, respectively, compared to $378,000 and $2,816,000, respectively, for the same periods of 2010.  Bad debt expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $128,000 and $427,000, respectively, compared to $91,000 and $833,000, respectively, for the same periods last year.
 

 
 
16

 
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The Company’s management considers the following accounting policies and estimates to be critical to the reported operations of the Company.

Real Estate Properties
The Company allocates the purchase price of acquired properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets based on their respective fair values.  Goodwill 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.  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 fair market rates 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.

During the period in which a property is under development, 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 directly or indirectly related to such development activities.

The Company reviews its real estate investments for impairment of value whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  If any real estate investment is considered permanently impaired, a loss is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the property to its estimated fair value.  Real estate assets to be sold are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less selling costs.  The evaluation of real estate investments involves many subjective assumptions dependent upon future economic events that affect the ultimate value of the property.  Currently, the Company’s management is not aware of any impairment issues nor has it experienced any significant impairment issues in recent years.  EastGroup currently has the intent and ability to hold its real estate investments and to hold its land inventory for future development.  In the event of impairment, the property’s basis would be reduced, and the impairment would be recognized as a current period charge on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Valuation of Receivables
The Company is subject to tenant defaults and bankruptcies that could affect the collection of outstanding receivables.  In order to mitigate these risks, the Company performs credit reviews and analyses on prospective tenants before significant leases are executed and on existing tenants before properties are acquired.  On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates outstanding receivables and estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts.  Management specifically analyzes aged receivables, customer credit-worthiness, historical bad debts and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts.  The Company believes its allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate for its outstanding receivables for the periods presented.  In the event the allowance for doubtful accounts is insufficient for an account that is subsequently written off, additional bad debt expense would be recognized as a current period charge on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Tax Status
EastGroup, a Maryland corporation, has qualified as a real estate investment trust 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 distribute at least 90% of its ordinary taxable income to its stockholders.  The Company has the option of (i) reinvesting the sales price of properties sold through tax-deferred exchanges, allowing for a deferral of capital gains on the sale, (ii) paying out capital gains to the stockholders with no tax to the Company, or (iii) treating the capital gains as having been distributed to the stockholders, paying the tax on the gain deemed distributed and allocating the tax paid as a credit to the stockholders.  The Company distributed all of its 2010 taxable income to its stockholders and expects to distribute all of its taxable income in 2011.  Accordingly, no provision for income taxes was necessary in 2010, nor is it expected to be necessary for 2011.

 
 
17

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

EastGroup’s assets were $1,212,193,000 at September 30, 2011, an increase of $28,917,000 from December 31, 2010.  Liabilities increased $52,432,000 to $824,202,000, and equity decreased $23,515,000 to $387,991,000 during the same period.  The paragraphs that follow explain these changes in detail.

Assets

Real Estate Properties
Real estate properties increased $39,452,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to the purchase of the operating properties detailed below, capital improvements at the Company’s properties and the transfer of one property from development, as detailed under Development below.

 
REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES ACQUIRED IN 2011
 
Location
 
Size
 
Date
Acquired
 
Cost (1)
 
       
(Square feet)
     
(In thousands)
 
Lakeview Business Center
 
Charlotte, NC
    127,000  
08/17/11
  $ 6,460  
Ridge Creek Distribution Center II
 
Charlotte, NC
    300,000  
08/17/11
    14,530  
Broadway Industrial Park, Building VII
 
Tempe, AZ
    24,000  
09/26/11
    1,100  
     Total Acquisitions
        451,000       $ 22,090  

(1)
Total cost of the properties acquired was $23,450,000, of which $22,090,000 was allocated to real estate properties as indicated above.  Intangibles associated with the purchases of real estate were allocated as follows:  $1,320,000 to in-place lease intangibles, $66,000 to above market leases (both included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets) and $26,000 to below market leases (included in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets).  All of these costs are amortized over the remaining lives of the associated leases in place at the time of acquisition.  During the first nine months of 2011, the Company expensed acquisition-related costs of $55,000 in connection with the Lakeview, Ridge Creek II and Broadway VII acquisitions.
 
The Company made capital improvements of $13,918,000 on existing and acquired properties (included in the Capital Expenditures table under Results of Operations).  Also, the Company incurred costs of $1,960,000 on development properties subsequent to transfer to Real Estate Properties; the Company records these expenditures as development costs on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Accumulated depreciation on real estate and development properties increased $36,278,000 during the first nine months of 2011 due to depreciation expense on real estate properties.

Development
EastGroup’s investment in development at September 30, 2011 consisted of properties in lease-up and under construction of $17,695,000 and prospective development (primarily land) of $81,566,000.  The Company’s total investment in development at September 30, 2011 was $99,261,000 compared to $73,722,000 at December 31, 2010.  Total capital invested for development during the first nine months of 2011 was $28,982,000, which consisted of costs of $26,946,000 and $76,000 as detailed in the development activity table and costs of $1,960,000 on development properties subsequent to transfer to Real Estate Properties.

During the first nine months of 2011, EastGroup purchased 31.5 acres of development land in Chandler (Phoenix), Arizona, for $3,219,000 and 133.1 acres of development land in Houston, Texas, to expand its existing World Houston International Business Center for $10,071,000.  Costs associated with these acquisitions are included in the development activity table.  The Company transferred one development to Real Estate Properties during the first nine months of 2011 with a total investment of $1,483,000 as of the date of transfer.





 
 
18

 


   
Costs Incurred
 
DEVELOPMENT
 
 
Size
Costs
Transferred
in 2011(1)
For the Nine
Months Ended 9/30/11
Cumulative
as of
9/30/11
 
Estimated
Total Costs
 
(Square feet)
(In thousands)

LEASE-UP
                             
  World Houston 31, Houston, TX
    44,000     $       2,304       3,359       4,600  
  Beltway Crossing VIII, Houston, TX
    88,000       1,256       2,673       3,929       5,300  
Total Lease-Up
    132,000       1,256       4,977       7,288       9,900  
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
                                       
  World Houston 32, Houston, TX
    94,000       1,834       2,588       4,422       6,800  
  Southridge IX, Orlando, FL
    76,000       1,987       1,061       3,048       5,400  
  Thousand Oaks 1, San Antonio, TX
    36,000       865       391       1,256       4,600  
  Thousand Oaks 2, San Antonio, TX
    73,000       1,187       494       1,681       5,000  
Total Under Construction
    279,000       5,873       4,534       10,407       21,800  
PROSPECTIVE DEVELOPMENT (PRIMARILY LAND)
                                       
  Phoenix, AZ
    432,000             3,363       3,363       30,800  
  Tucson, AZ
    70,000                   417       4,900  
  Tampa, FL
    249,000             211       4,411       14,600  
  Orlando, FL
    1,508,000       (1,987 )     1,968       23,013       96,300  
  Fort Myers, FL
    659,000             497       17,051       48,100  
  Dallas, TX
    70,000             47       749       4,100  
  El Paso, TX
    251,000                   2,444       9,600  
  Houston, TX
    2,412,000       (3,090 )     10,963       23,271       151,800  
  San Antonio, TX
    484,000       (2,052 )     332       4,912       32,200  
  Charlotte, NC
    95,000             54       1,229       7,100  
  Jackson, MS
    28,000                   706       2,000  
Total Prospective Development
    6,258,000       (7,129 )     17,435       81,566       401,500  
      6,669,000     $       26,946       99,261       433,200  
DEVELOPMENTS COMPLETED AND TRANSFERRED
                                       
TO REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES DURING 2011
                                       
  Arion 8 Expansion, San Antonio, TX
    20,000     $       76       1,483          
Total Transferred to Real Estate Properties
    20,000     $       76       1,483 (2)        
 
(1) Represents costs transferred from Prospective Development (primarily land) to Under Construction during the period.
(2) Represents cumulative costs at the date of transfer.

A summary of Other Assets is presented in Note 8 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


Liabilities

Mortgage notes payable decreased $10,316,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The decrease resulted from the repayment of two mortgages of $58,897,000, regularly scheduled principal payments of $16,325,000 and mortgage loan premium amortization of $94,000, offset by a $65,000,000 mortgage loan executed by the Company during the second quarter of 2011.

Notes payable to banks increased $53,004,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, as a result of advances of $213,034,000 exceeding repayments of $160,030,000.  The Company’s credit facilities are described in greater detail under Liquidity and Capital Resources.

See Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses.  See Note 10 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of Other Liabilities.


Equity

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, distributions in excess of earnings increased $26,427,000 as a result of dividends on common stock of $42,381,000 exceeding net income attributable to EastGroup Properties, Inc. common stockholders of $15,954,000.  See Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to the changes in additional paid-in capital resulting from stock-based compensation.

 
 
19

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Comments are for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.)

Net income attributable to common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, was $5,670,000 ($.21 per basic and diluted share) and $15,954,000 ($.59 per basic and diluted share), respectively, compared to $4,023,000 ($.15 per basic and diluted share) and $13,403,000 ($.50 per basic and diluted share) for the same periods in 2010.  The increases in both periods were primarily due to increased PNOI and decreased depreciation and amortization expense.  The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, was also attributable to decreased interest expense resulting from lower interest rates on the refinancing of two mortgage loans in 2011.

PNOI for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increased by $1,372,000, or 4.6%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The increase was primarily attributable to increases in PNOI of $1,083,000 from same property operations, $215,000 from 2011 acquisitions, and $70,000 from newly developed properties.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, bad debt expense exceeded termination fee income by $76,000.  For the three months ended September 30, 2010, termination fee income exceeded bad debt expense by $287,000.

PNOI for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increased by $1,446,000, or 1.6%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in PNOI of $730,000 from newly developed properties, $448,000 from same property operations, and $255,000 from 2010 and 2011 acquisitions.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, termination fee income, net of bad debt expense, was $115,000 compared to $1,983,000 for the same period last year.

Property expense to revenue ratios were 28.7% and 28.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to 30.6% and 30.3% for the same periods in 2010.  The Company’s percentage of leased square footage was 93.9% at September 30, 2011, compared to 90.0% at September 30, 2010.  Occupancy at September 30, 2011 was 93.0% compared to 88.3% at September 30, 2010.

The following table presents the components of interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:


   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
2011
   
2010
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   
(In thousands, except rates of interest)
 
Average bank borrowings 
  $ 113,556       124,291       (10,735 )     120,297       117,474       2,823  
Weighted average variable interest rates
     (excluding loan cost amortization) 
    1.42 %     1.48 %             1.42 %     1.43 %        
                                                 
VARIABLE RATE INTEREST EXPENSE
                                               
Variable rate interest
     (excluding loan cost amortization)
  $ 407       465       (58 )     1,277       1,259       18  
Amortization of bank loan costs 
    74       78       (4 )     225       235       (10 )
Total variable rate interest expense 
    481       543       (62 )     1,502       1,494       8  
                                                 
FIXED RATE INTEREST EXPENSE
                                               
Fixed rate interest
     (excluding loan cost amortization)
    8,966       8,986       (20 )     26,725       27,170       (445 )
Amortization of mortgage loan costs 
    185       185             568       556       12  
Total fixed rate interest expense 
    9,151       9,171       (20 )     27,293       27,726       (433 )
                                                 
Total interest
    9,632       9,714       (82 )     28,795       29,220       (425 )
Less capitalized interest
    (952 )     (869 )     (83 )     (2,695 )     (2,705 )     10  
                                                 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE 
  $ 8,680       8,845       (165 )     26,100       26,515       (415 )


EastGroup’s variable rate interest expense decreased by $62,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to the same period last year due to decreases in the Company’s average bank borrowings and weighted average variable interest rates.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company’s variable rate interest expense remained relatively unchanged as compared to the same period in 2010.


 
 
20

 

The decrease in mortgage interest expense in 2011 was primarily due to lower interest rates on the refinancing of mortgage loans.  During 2010 and 2011, the Company repaid three mortgages as shown in the following table:

MORTGAGE LOANS REPAID IN 2010 AND 2011
 
Interest Rate
 
Date Repaid
 
Payoff Amount
 
Tower Automotive Center                                                                
    6.03 %
10/01/10
  $ 8,770,000  
Butterfield Trail, Glenmont I & II, Interstate I, II & III,
   Rojas, Stemmons Circle, Venture and West Loop I & II
    7.25 %
01/31/11
    36,065,000  
America Plaza, Central Green and World Houston 3-9
    7.92 %
05/10/11
    22,832,000  
  Weighted Average/Total Amount                                                                
    7.32 %     $ 67,667,000  

During 2010 and 2011, the Company closed on the new mortgages detailed in the table below.
 
 
NEW MORTGAGES IN 2010 AND 2011
 
Interest Rate
 
Date
 
Maturity Date
 
Amount
 
                   
40th Avenue, Centennial Park, Executive Airport,
   Beltway V, Techway Southwest IV, Wetmore V-VIII,
   Ocean View and World Houston 26, 28, 29 & 30
    4.39 %
12/28/10
 
01/05/21
  $ 74,000,000  
America Plaza, Central Green, Glenmont I & II,
   Interstate I, II & III, Rojas, Stemmons Circle, Venture,
   West Loop I & II and World Houston 3-9
    4.75 %
05/31/11
 
06/05/21
    65,000,000  
  Weighted Average/Total Amount                                                             
    4.56 %         $ 139,000,000  

Interest costs incurred during the period of construction of real estate properties are capitalized and offset against interest expense.  Capitalized interest increased $83,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to the same quarter of 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, capitalized interest decreased $10,000 as compared to the same period last year.

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $211,000 and $1,281,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to the same periods in 2010.  Straight-lining of rent increased income by $430,000 and $1,573,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to $735,000 and $1,944,000 for the same periods in 2010.

General and administrative expense increased $30,000 and $524,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same periods last year.  The increase for both periods was primarily due to increased compensation expense, offset by increased capitalization of development costs due to increased development activity in 2011 as compared to 2010.


Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures for the Company’s operating properties for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:

     
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
Estimated
Useful Life
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
     
(In thousands)
 
                           
Upgrade on Acquisitions                                            
40 yrs
  $ 31       4       254       32  
Tenant Improvements:
                                 
   New Tenants                                            
Lease Life
    2,191       3,599       5,955       8,414  
   New Tenants (first generation) (1)
Lease Life
          301       1,028       582  
   Renewal Tenants                                            
Lease Life
    232       459       1,791       1,168  
Other:
                                 
   Building Improvements                                            
5-40 yrs
    713       1,077       2,748       2,941  
   Roofs                                            
5-15 yrs
    292       553       1,155       2,035  
   Parking Lots                                            
3-5 yrs
    180       469       689       828  
   Other                                            
5 yrs
    48       144       298       453  
      Total Capital Expenditures
    $ 3,687       6,606       13,918       16,453  

(1)  
First generation refers to space that has never been occupied under EastGroup’s ownership.



 
 
21

 

Capitalized Leasing Costs
The Company’s leasing costs (principally commissions) are capitalized and included in Other Assets. The costs are amortized over the terms of the associated leases and are included in depreciation and amortization expense.  Capitalized leasing costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:

     
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
Estimated
Useful Life
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
     
(In thousands)
 
                           
Development
Lease Life
  $ 430       26       800       192  
New Tenants
Lease Life
    915       876       2,451       2,934  
New Tenants (first generation) (1)
Lease Life
          43       187       91  
Renewal Tenants
Lease Life
    593       1,005       1,882       2,535  
      Total Capitalized Leasing Costs
    $ 1,938       1,950       5,320       5,752  
                                   
Amortization of Leasing Costs
    $ 1,601       1,642       4,819       5,073  

(1)  
First generation refers to space that has never been occupied under EastGroup’s ownership.

 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

EastGroup has evaluated all Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) released by the FASB through the date the financial statements were issued and determined that the following ASUs apply to the Company.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, which provides guidance about how fair value should be applied where it is already required or permitted under U.S. GAAP.  The ASU does not extend the use of fair value or require additional fair value measurements, but rather provides explanations about how to measure fair value.  ASU 2011-04 requires prospective application and will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company believes the adoption of this ASU will have an immaterial impact on the Company’s overall financial position and results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in equity and requires that all nonowner changes in equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  ASU 2011-05 requires retrospective application and will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company believes the adoption of ASU 2011-05 will have an immaterial impact on the Company’s disclosures of comprehensive income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount before applying the two-step goodwill impairment test.  Under this ASU, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount.  ASU 2011-08 is effective for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company believes the adoption of this ASU will have an immaterial impact on the Company.



 
 
22

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash provided by operating activities was $68,926,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The primary other sources of cash were from bank borrowings and mortgage notes payable.  The Company distributed $41,880,000 in common stock dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Other primary uses of cash were for bank debt repayments, mortgage note repayments, the construction and development of properties, the acquisition of properties, and capital improvements at various properties.

Total debt at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is detailed below.  The Company’s bank credit facilities have certain restrictive covenants, such as maintaining debt service coverage and leverage ratios and maintaining insurance coverage, and the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Mortgage notes payable – fixed rate
  $ 634,108       644,424  
Bank notes payable – floating rate
    144,298       91,294  
   Total debt                                                      
  $ 778,406       735,718  

EastGroup has a four-year, $200 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of seven banks that was scheduled to mature in January 2012; however, the Company has exercised its right for a one-year extension on the same terms and conditions.  The interest rate on the facility is based on the LIBOR index and varies according to total liability to total asset value ratios (as defined in the credit agreement), with an annual facility fee of 15 to 20 basis points.  The interest rate on each tranche is usually reset on a monthly basis and as of September 30, 2011, was LIBOR plus 85 basis points with an annual facility fee of 20 basis points.  At September 30, 2011, the weighted average interest rate was 1.090% on a balance of $133,000,000.

EastGroup also has a four-year, $25 million unsecured revolving credit facility with PNC Bank, N.A. that matures in January 2012.  This credit facility is customarily used for working capital needs.  The interest rate on this working capital line is based on the LIBOR index and varies according to total liability to total asset value ratios (as defined in the credit agreement), with no annual facility fee.  The interest rate is reset on a daily basis and as of September 30, 2011, was LIBOR plus 90 basis points.  At September 30, 2011, the interest rate was 1.139% on a balance of $11,298,000.

As market conditions permit, EastGroup issues equity, including preferred equity, and/or employs fixed-rate debt to replace the short-term bank borrowings.  Even though mortgage loan proceeds as a percentage of property values have decreased, and lenders’ underwriting standards have become stricter, the Company is able to obtain financing at attractive rates.  The Company believes its current operating cash flow and lines of credit provide the capacity to fund the operations of the Company for the remainder of 2011 and 2012.  The Company also believes it can obtain mortgage financing from insurance companies and financial institutions and issue common and/or preferred equity.

On January 31, 2011, the Company repaid a mortgage loan with a balance of $36.1 million and an interest rate of 7.25%.  On May 10, 2011, the Company repaid a mortgage loan with a balance of $22.8 million and an interest rate of 7.92%.

On May 31, 2011, EastGroup closed on a $65 million, non-recourse first mortgage loan with a fixed interest rate of 4.75%, a  10-year term and a 20-year amortization schedule.  The loan is secured by properties containing 1.9 million square feet.  The Company used the proceeds of this mortgage loan to reduce variable rate bank borrowings.

In October 2011, EastGroup executed an application for a $54 million, non-recourse first mortgage loan with a fixed interest rate of 4.09%, a 10-year term and a 20-year amortization schedule.  The loan, which will be secured by properties containing 1.4 million square feet, is expected to close in January 2012.  The Company plans to use the proceeds of this mortgage loan to reduce variable rate bank borrowings.

In March 2011, the Company entered into Sales Agency Financing Agreements (the “Agreements”) with BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. pursuant to which it may issue and sell shares of its common stock from time to time.  As of October 21, 2011, EastGroup had sold and issued 15,000 shares of common stock at an average price of $46.40 per share with gross proceeds to the Company of $696,000.  The Company incurred offering-related costs of $246,000, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $450,000.  The proceeds were used to reduce variable rate bank borrowings.

The Company anticipates that its current cash balance, operating cash flows, borrowings under its lines of credit, proceeds from new mortgage debt and/or proceeds from the issuance of equity instruments will be adequate for (i) operating and administrative expenses, (ii) normal repair and maintenance expenses at its properties, (iii) debt service obligations, (iv) maintaining compliance with its debt covenants, (v) distributions to stockholders, (vi) capital improvements, (vii) purchases of properties, (viii) development, and (ix) any other normal business activities of the Company, both in the short- and long-term.
 
 
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Contractual Obligations
EastGroup’s fixed, noncancelable obligations as of December 31, 2010, did not materially change during the nine months ended  September 30, 2011, except for the increase in bank borrowings and decrease in mortgage notes payable discussed above.


INFLATION AND OTHER ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
 
Most of the Company's leases include scheduled rent increases.  Additionally, most of the Company's leases require the tenants to pay their pro rata share of operating expenses, including real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance, thereby reducing the Company's exposure to increases in operating expenses resulting from inflation.  In the event inflation causes increases in the Company’s general and administrative expenses or the level of interest rates, such increased costs would not be passed through to tenants and could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

EastGroup's financial results are affected by general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company's properties are located.  The current state of the economy, or other adverse changes in general or local economic conditions, could result in the inability of some of the Company's existing tenants to make lease payments and may therefore increase bad debt expense.  It may also impact the Company’s ability to (i) renew leases or re-lease space as leases expire, or (ii) lease development space.  In addition, the economic downturn or recession could also lead to an increase in overall vacancy rates or decline in rents the Company can charge to re-lease properties upon expiration of current leases.  In all of these cases, EastGroup’s cash flows would be adversely affected.
 
 
 
ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

The Company is exposed to interest rate changes primarily as a result of its lines of credit and long-term debt maturities.  This debt is used to maintain liquidity and fund capital expenditures and expansion of the Company’s real estate investment portfolio and operations.  The Company’s objective for interest rate risk management is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower its overall borrowing costs.  To achieve its objectives, the Company borrows at fixed rates but also has two variable rate bank lines as discussed under Liquidity and Capital Resources.  The table below presents the principal payments due and weighted average interest rates for both the fixed rate and variable rate debt.
 
   
Oct.-Dec. 2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
2015
   
Thereafter
   
Total
   
Fair Value
 
Fixed rate debt (in thousands)
  $ 5,928       68,684       60,164       96,993       100,279       302,060       634,108       680,931 (1)
Weighted average interest rate
    5.64 %     6.50 %     5.10 %     5.69 %     5.38 %     5.61 %     5.63 %        
Variable rate debt (in thousands)
  $       144,298 (2)                             144,298       144,064 (3)
Weighted average interest rate
          1.09 %                             1.09 %        

(1)
The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at the rates currently offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities, as advised by the Company’s bankers.
 (2)
The variable rate debt is comprised of two lines of credit with balances of $133,000,000 on the $200 million line of credit and $11,298,000 on the $25 million working capital line of credit as of September 30, 2011.  The Company has exercised its right for a one-year extension on the $200 million line of credit.
(3)
The fair value of the Company’s variable rate debt is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at current market rates.


As the table above incorporates only those exposures that existed as of September 30, 2011, it does not consider those exposures or positions that could arise after that date.  If the weighted average interest rate on the variable rate bank debt as shown above changes by 10% or approximately 11 basis points, interest expense and cash flows would increase or decrease by approximately $157,000 annually.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this report may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as “will,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature.  All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including statements relating to rent and occupancy growth, development activity, the acquisition or sale of properties, general conditions in the geographic areas where the Company operates and the availability of capital, are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict, including, without limitation: changes in general economic conditions; the extent of tenant defaults or of any early lease terminations; the Company's ability to lease or re-lease space at current or anticipated rents; the availability of financing; changes in the supply of and demand for industrial/warehouse properties; increases in interest rate levels; increases in operating costs; natural disasters, terrorism, riots and acts of war, and the Company's ability to obtain adequate insurance; changes in governmental regulation, tax rates and similar matters; and other risks associated with the development and acquisition of properties, including risks that development projects may not be completed on schedule, development or operating costs may be greater than anticipated or acquisitions may not close as scheduled, and those additional factors discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of this report and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions at the time made, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will be achieved.  The Company assumes no obligation whatsoever to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.  See also the information contained in the Company’s reports filed or to be filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).


 
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ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(i)      Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15) as of September 30, 2011.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms.


(ii)      Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the Company's third fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in EastGroup’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.  For a full description of these risk factors, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS.

(a) Form 10-Q Exhibits:
 
(31) Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications (pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
 
(a) David H. Hoster II, Chief Executive Officer
 
(b) N. Keith McKey, Chief Financial Officer
 
(32) Section 1350 Certifications (pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
 
(a) David H. Hoster II, Chief Executive Officer
 
(b) N. Keith McKey, Chief Financial Officer
 
                                      (101) The following materials from EastGroup Properties, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                        the quarter ended September 30, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language):
                        (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of income, (iii) consolidated
                        statement of changes in equity, (iv) consolidated statements of cash flows, and (v) the notes to
                        the consolidated financial statements.**

                        **  Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are
                        deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or
                        12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of
                        the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability
                        under those sections.

 
 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  October 25, 2011

   
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
     
   
/s/ BRUCE CORKERN 
   
Bruce Corkern, CPA
   
Senior Vice President, Controller and
   
Chief Accounting Officer
     
   
/s/ N. KEITH MCKEY 
   
N. Keith McKey, CPA
   
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
   
Treasurer and Secretary




 
 
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