EastGroup Properties - 10-Q quarterly report FY

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 material impairment of goodwill and other intangibles existed at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

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 that are 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 s old 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 that are 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.

The Company sold no real estate properties during the first three months of 2010 and had no real estate properties that were considered to be held for sale at March 31, 2010.

During 2009, EastGroup sold one operating property, Butterfield Trail (Building G) in El Paso, and the results of operations for this property are shown under Discontinued Operations on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

A summary of the Company’s Other Assets follows:

A summary of the Company’s Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses follows:

A summary of the Company’s Other Liabilities follows:

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 presented in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and are summarized below.  See Note 12 for information regarding the Company’s interest rate swap.

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted provisions included in ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which require 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 has an interest rate swap agreement to hedge its exposure to the variable interest rate on the Company’s $8,975,000 Tower Automotive Center recourse mortgage, which is summarized in the table below.  Under the swap agreement, the Company effectively pays a fixed rate of interest over the term of the agreement without the exc hange of the underlying notional amount.  This swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and is 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 are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (see Note 11).  The Company does not hold or issue this type of derivative contract for trading or speculative purposes.

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.

The Company has a management incentive plan which was approved by the shareholders and adopted in 2004.  This plan authorizes the issuance of up to 1,900,000 shares of common stock to employees in the form of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock (limited to 570,000 shares), deferred stock units, performance shares, stock bonuses, and stock.  Total shares available for grant were 1,486,526 at March 31, 2010.  Typically, the Company issues new shares to fulfill stock grants or upon the exercise of stock options.

Stock-based compensation cost was $444,000 and $435,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, of which $11,000 and $58,000 were capitalized as part of the Company’s development costs.

      In March 2010, the Compensation Committee evaluated the Company's performance compared to a variety of goals for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Based on the evaluation, 37,522 shares were awarded to the Company’s executive officers at a grant date fair value of $36.98.  These shares vested 20% on March 4, 2010, and will vest 20% per year on January 1 of the subsequent four years.  The shares will be expensed on a straight line basis over the remaining service period.

Also in March 2010, the Committee evaluated the Company’s total shareholder return compared to a peer group, NAREIT and absolute returns.  Based on the evaluation, 23,332 shares were awarded to the Company’s executive officers at a grant date fair value of $36.98.  These shares will vest 25% per year on January 1 in years 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.  The shares will be expensed on a straight line basis over the remaining service period.

The Compensation Committee also awarded 20,000 shares in March 2010 as a retention bonus to each of John F. Coleman, William D. Petsas, and Brent W. Wood, Senior Vice Presidents.  The stock awards vest as follows, provided that the applicable officer remains in the employ of the Company as of such date:  1,400 shares on January 10, 2016; 2,600 shares on January 10, 2017; 4,000 shares on January 10, 2018; 5,400 shares on January 10, 2019; and 6,600 shares on January 10, 2020.  The shares will be expensed on a straight line basis over the remaining service period.

Following is a summary of the total restricted 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 2010, the Company withheld 9,494 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 2010 was $1,753,000.

The Company has a directors equity plan that was approved by shareholders and adopted in 2005 and was further amended by the Board of Directors in May 2008, which authorizes 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.  Stock-based compensation expense for directors was $60,000 and $61,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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 and service debt or meet other financial obligations.

In 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820):  Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements, which amends certain disclosure requirements of ASC 820.  This ASU provides additional disclosures for transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and for activity in Level 3.  This ASU also clarifies certain other existing disclosure requirements including level of desegregation and disclosures around inputs and valuation techniques.  ASU 2010-06 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, and the Company has adopted the provisions and provided the necessary disclosures beginning with the period ended March 31, 2010.

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), an d significant valuation assumptions that are not readily observable in the market (Level 3).  The Company’s interest rate swap, as discussed in Note 12, is reported at fair value and is shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under Other Liabilities.  The fair value of the interest rate swap is 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 March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

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.

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.

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.

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 and California.

The Company believes the slowdown in the economy has affected and will continue to affect its operations.  The Company has experienced decreases in occupancy and rental rates and increases in bad debt expense, and it has no plans for development starts.  The current economic situation is also impacting lenders, and it is more difficult to obtain financing.  Loan proceeds as a percentage of property value has decreased, and property values have decreased. The Company believes its current lines of credit provide the capacity to fund the operations of the Company for the remainder of 2010 and 2011.  The Company also believes it can obtain mortgage financing from insurance companies and financial institutions and issue common equity.

The Company’s primary revenue is rental income; as such, EastGroup’s greatest challenge is leasing space.  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, leases on 2,239,000 square feet (8.0%) of EastGroup’s total square footage of 27,946,000 expired, and the Company was successful in renewing or re-leasing 62% of the expiring square feet.  In addition, EastGroup leased 733,000 square feet of other vacant space during this period.  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, average rental rates on new and renewal leases decreased by 8.3%.  Property net operating income (PNOI) from same properties decreased 3.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the same quarter in 2009.

EastGroup’s total leased percentage was 87.6% at March 31, 2010, compared to 93.4% at March 31, 2009.  Leases scheduled to expire for the remainder of 2010 were 8.4% of the portfolio on a square foot basis at March 31, 2010, and this figure was reduced to 6.9% as of April 30, 2010.

The Company generates new sources of leasing revenue through its acquisition and development programs.  During the first three months of 2010, EastGroup acquired Commerce Park 2 & 3 and Ocean View Corporate Center for a total of $22,250,000.  These properties, which contain 467,000 square feet, are located in Charlotte and San Diego, respectively.

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.  EastGroup’s development activity has slowed considerably as a result of current market conditions.  The Company had only one development start in 2009, which was a 20,000 square foot expansion at Arion 8 in San Antonio to accommodate the growth of an existing customer.  There have been no development starts thus far in 2010, and the Company currently has no plans to start construction on new developments for the remainder of the year.  0;During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company transferred three properties (318,000 square feet) with aggregate costs of $21.6 million at the date of transfer from development to real estate properties.  These properties, which were collectively 36.0% leased as of April 30, 2010, are located in Tucson, Arizona; Tampa, Florida; and Houston, Texas.

During the first three months of 2010, the Company 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, non-recourse first mortgage 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 that permit 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:  property net operating income (PNOI), defined as income from real estate operations less property operating expenses (before interest expense and depreciation and amortization), and funds from operations attributable to common stockholders (FFO), defined as net income (loss) 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.

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 that influence 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.

Real estate income is comprised of rental income, pass-through income and other real estate income including lease termination fees.  Property operating expenses are 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 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, on a comparative basis for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, reconciliations of PNOI and FFO Attributable to Common Stockholders to Net Income Attributable to EastGroup Properties, Inc.

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

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

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 cate gories 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 which reflects 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 to tal 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) that are 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 i ssues 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.

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.  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 do ubtful 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.

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 Com pany distributed all of its 2009 taxable income to its stockholders and expects to distribute all of its taxable income in 2010.  Accordingly, no provision for income taxes was necessary in 2009, nor is it expected to be necessary for 2010.

EastGroup’s assets were $1,191,188,000 at March 31, 2010, an increase of $12,670,000 from December 31, 2009.  Liabilities increased $21,652,000 to $753,074,000 and equity decreased $8,982,000 to $438,114,000 during the same period.  The paragraphs that follow explain these changes in detail.

Real estate properties increased $44,404,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2010, primarily due to the purchase of the operating properties detailed below and the transfer of three properties from development, as detailed under Development below.

EastGroup also acquired 2.1 acres of land adjacent to its Country Club buildings in Tucson, Arizona, for $351,000.  This land provides additional parking and trailer storage for the existing buildings.

The Company made capital improvements of $2,968,000 on existing and acquired properties (included in the Capital Expenditures table under Results of Operations).  Also, the Company incurred costs of $1,066,000 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 during the 12-month period following transfer.

The investment in development at March 31, 2010, was $77,929,000 compared to $97,594,000 at December 31, 2009.  Total capital invested for development during the first three months of 2010 was $3,016,000, which consisted of costs of $1,950,000 as detailed in the development activity table and costs of $1,066,000 on developments transferred to Real Estate Properties during the 12-month period following transfer.

The Company transferred three developments to Real Estate Properties during the first quarter of 2010 with a total investment of $21,615,000 as of the date of transfer.

Accumulated depreciation on real estate properties increased $12,075,000 during the first three months of 2010 due to depreciation expense on real estate properties.

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

Mortgage notes payable decreased $4,930,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2010, as a result of regularly scheduled principal payments of $4,899,000 and mortgage loan premium amortization of $31,000.

Notes payable to banks increased $35,392,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2010, as a result of advances of $71,461,000 exceeding repayments of $36,069,000.  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.

For the three months ended March 31, 2010, distributions in excess of earnings increased $9,222,000 as a result of dividends on common stock of $14,125,000 exceeding net income for financial reporting purposes of $4,903,000.  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.

(Comments are for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.)

Net income attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2010, was $4,903,000 ($.18 per basic and diluted share) compared to $7,678,000 ($.31 per basic and diluted share) for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The Company recognized termination fee income of $1,413,000 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $232,000 in the same quarter last year.

PNOI for the three months ended March 31, 2010, increased by $165,000, or 0.5%, as compared to the same period in 2009.  The increase was primarily attributable to additional PNOI of $683,000 from 2009 and 2010 acquisitions and $673,000 from newly developed properties, offset by a decrease in PNOI of $1,173,000 from same property operations.   

EastGroup’s results of operations for the first quarter were affected by the changes in PNOI, increased depreciation and amortization expense, and other costs as discussed below.

Expense to revenue ratios were 30.4% and 29.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The increase was primarily due to lower occupancy in the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period last year.  The Company’s percentages leased and occupied were 87.6% and 86.2%, respectively, at March 31, 2010, compared to 93.4% and 92.8%, respectively, at March 31, 2009.

General and administrative expenses were $2,610,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to $2,561,000 for the same period last year.  The change was primarily due to a decrease in capitalized development costs resulting from a slowdown in the Company’s development program, partially offset by lower compensation expense.  In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805, Business Combinations, EastGroup expensed acquisition-related costs of $49,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2010, in connection with the Charlotte and San Diego acquisitions.  No acquisition costs were expensed in the first quarter of 2009.

The following table presents the components of interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:

EastGroup’s variable rate interest expense decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the same period last year due to decreases in the Company’s average bank borrowings and weighted average variable interest rates.

Interest costs incurred during the period of construction of real estate properties are capitalized and offset against interest expense.  Due to the continued slowdown in the Company’s development program, capitalized interest decreased $690,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the same period last year.

The increase in mortgage interest expense in 2010 was primarily due to the Company’s new mortgages detailed in the table below.

These increases were offset by regularly scheduled principal payments and the repayments of three mortgages in 2009 as shown in the following table:

Depreciation and amortization for continuing operations increased $1,688,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the same period in 2009.  The increase was primarily due to properties acquired and transferred from development during 2009 and 2010.

NAREIT has recommended supplemental disclosures concerning straight-line rent, capital expenditures and leasing costs.  Straight-lining of rent for continuing operations increased income by $714,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $66,000 for the same period in 2009.

Capital expenditures for operating properties for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

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 months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

The results of operations, including interest expense (if applicable), for the operating properties sold or held for sale during the periods reported are shown under Discontinued Operations on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table presents the components of revenue and expense for the properties sold or held for sale during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  There were no sales of properties during the first quarter of 2010 nor were any properties considered to be held for sale at March 31, 2010.  EastGroup sold Butterfield Trail (Building G) during the fourth quarter of 2009 and reclassified the operations of the entity to Discontinued Operations as shown in the following table.

In 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820):  Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements, which amends certain disclosure requirements of ASC 820.  This ASU provides additional disclosures for transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and for activity in Level 3.  This ASU also clarifies certain other existing disclosure requirements including level of desegregation and disclosures around inputs and valuation techniques.  ASU 2010-06 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, and the Company has adopted the provisions and provided the necessary disclosures beginning with the period ended March 31, 2010.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $13,496,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  The primary other sources of cash were from bank borrowings.  The Company distributed $14,190,000 in common stock dividends during the three months ended March 31, 2010.  Other primary uses of cash were for bank debt repayments, mortgage note repayments, purchases of real estate, construction and development of properties, and capital improvements at various properties.

Total debt at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 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 March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

EastGroup has a four-year, $200 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of seven banks that matures in January 2012.  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 March 31, 2010, was LIBOR plus 70 basis points with an annual facility fee of 20 basis points.  The line of credit has an option for a one-year extension at the Company’s request.  Additionally, there is a provision under which the line may be expanded by $100 million contingent upon obtaining increased commitmen ts from existing lenders or commitments from additional lenders.  The Company has two letters of credit totaling $2,389,000 associated with this line of credit.  These letters reduce the amount available on the credit facility.  At March 31, 2010, the weighted average interest rate was 0.948% on a balance of $121,000,000.

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).  As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s interest rate on this working capital line was LIBOR plus 75 basis points with no annual facility fee.  At March 31, 2010, the interest rate was 0.999% on a balance of $3,548,000.

As market conditions permit, EastGroup issues equity, including preferred equity, and/or employs fixed-rate, non-recourse first mortgage debt to replace the short-term bank borrowings.

The current economic situation is impacting lenders, and it is more difficult to obtain financing.  Loan proceeds as a percentage of property value has decreased, and property values have decreased.  The Company believes its current lines of credit provide the capacity to fund the operations of the Company for the remainder of 2010 and 2011.  The Company also believes it can obtain mortgage financing from insurance companies and financial institutions and issue common equity.

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.

EastGroup’s fixed, noncancelable obligations as of December 31, 2009, did not materially change during the three months ended March 31, 2010, except for the increase in bank borrowings discussed above.

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 economic recession, 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.

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 several variable rate bank lines as discussed under Liquidity and Capital Resources.  The table below presents the principal payments due and weighted average int erest rates for both the fixed rate and variable rate debt.

As the table above incorporates only those exposures that existed as of March 31, 2010, 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 10 basis points, interest expense and cash flows would increase or decrease by approximately $125,000 annually.

The Company has an interest rate swap agreement to hedge its exposure to the variable interest rate on the Company’s $8,975,000 Tower Automotive Center recourse mortgage, which is summarized in the table below.  Under the swap agreement, the Company effectively pays a fixed rate of interest over the term of the agreement without the exchange of the underlying notional amount.  This swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and is 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 are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).  The Company does not hold or issue this type of derivative contract for trading or speculative purposes.  The interest rate swap agreement is summarized as follows:

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 p roperties, 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, developme nt 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 this report and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Although the Company believes that 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”).

(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 pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2010, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings.

(ii)      Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.