JACKSON, Miss., Jan. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE: EGP) announced today the income tax treatment of its 2012 distributions as described below. Shareholders are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment of EastGroup Properties distributions.

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Common Stock:
Ticker Symbol EGP, CUSIP #277 276 101


             Record   Payment         Total          Total        Total Capital Unrecaptured
             Dates     Dates   Distributions        Ordinary            Gain           Sec. 1250          Nondividend
                                   Per Share          Dividend      Distribution         Gain (1)        Distributions (2)
    ---               ---           --------        --------           -------           --------      -----------------
    03/19/12                 03/30/12         $.52           $.40735           $.04025            $.03700              $.07240
    06/15/12                 06/29/12          .52            .40735            .04025             .03700               .07240
    09/18/12                 09/28/12          .53            .41518            .04102             .03771               .07380
    12/18/12                 12/31/12          .53            .41518            .04102             .03771               .07380
                                                 ---               ---            ------             ------               ------

                      TOTALS                 $2.10          $1.64506           $.16254            $.14942              $.29240
                                             =====             =====           =======            =======              =======
    Form 1099-DIV box                                             1a                2a                 2b                    3

(1) Unrecaptured Sec. 1250 Gain (box 2b) is a subset of, and is included in, the Total Capital Gain Distribution amount reported in box 2a of Form 1099-DIV.

(2) Return of Capital

The Company did not incur any foreign taxes in 2012. Of the total distributions during 2012, none are considered qualifying dividends for purposes of the federal 15% income tax rate. Should you need any additional information, please call Bruce Corkern, Senior Vice President and Controller, at 601-354-3555.

EastGroup Properties, Inc. is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. The Company's goal is to maximize shareholder value by being the leading provider in its markets of functional, flexible, and quality business distribution space for location sensitive customers primarily in the 5,000 to 50,000 square foot range. The Company's strategy for growth is based on ownership of premier distribution facilities generally clustered near major transportation features in supply-constrained submarkets. EastGroup's portfolio currently includes over 32 million square feet.

EastGroup Properties press releases are available at www.eastgroup.net.

SOURCE EastGroup Properties, Inc.