EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
David H. Hoster II, President and Chief Executive Officer
N. Keith McKey, Chief Financial Officer
(601) 354-3555


                         EASTGROUP PROPERTIES ANNOUNCES
                           SECOND QUARTER 2008 RESULTS

o    Funds from  Operations of $19.8  Million or $.80 Per Share,  an Increase of
     8.1%
o    Net Income  Available  to Common  Stockholders  of $9.1 Million or $.37 Per
     Share
o    Same   Property  Net  Operating   Income   Growth  of  0.9%,   2.7%  Before
     Straight-Line Rent Adjustments
o    $14 Million Invested in Development During the Quarter
o    23  Development  Projects  with  Estimated  Costs  of  $144  Million  Under
     Construction or In Lease-Up at Quarter-End
o    95.6% Leased, 95.0% Occupied
o    Paid 114th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend - $.52 Per Share
o    Debt-to-Total  Market  Capitalization  of 36.0% at Quarter-End with a Stock
     Price of $42.90 Per Share
o    Interest Coverage of 3.7x and Fixed Charge Coverage of 3.4x


JACKSON,  MISSISSIPPI,  July 23, 2008 - EastGroup  Properties,  Inc.  (NYSE-EGP)
announced today the results of its operations for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008.

David H. Hoster II,  President and CEO,  stated,  "We are pleased to report that
EastGroup's  funds  from  operations  (FFO)  per share  for the  second  quarter
exceeded  the upper range of our guidance  and  represented  an increase of 8.1%
over last  year's  second  quarter.  This was the 16th  consecutive  quarter  of
increased FFO per share compared to the previous year's quarter. It was also the
20th consecutive  quarter of same property net operating income growth both with
and without the straight-lining of rents."

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS

For the quarter ended June 30, 2008, FFO was $.80 per share compared to $.74 for
the same period of 2007,  an increase of 8.1% per share.  Property net operating
income (PNOI)  increased  11.7%  primarily due to additional  PNOI of $2,089,000
from newly developed  properties,  $826,000 from 2007 and 2008  acquisitions and
$243,000 from same property growth.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008,  FFO was $1.63 per share  compared  with
$1.46  for the same  period  of 2007,  an  increase  of 11.6%  per  share.  PNOI
increased  12.5%  primarily  due to  additional  PNOI of  $3,762,000  from newly
developed  properties,  $2,013,000 from 2007 and 2008  acquisitions and $794,000
from same property growth.

Same property  operating  results  increased  0.9% for the quarter;  2.7% before
straight-line rent adjustments.  Rental rate increases on new and renewal leases
(4.9% of total  square  footage)  averaged  9.4% for the  quarter;  1.2%  before
straight-line rent adjustments.

                                     -MORE-

   P. O. Box 22728 - JACKSON, MS 39225 - TEL. 601-354-3555 - FAX 601-352-1441



For the six  months  ended  June  30,  2008,  same  property  operating  results
increased  1.6%;  2.3%  before  straight-line  rent  adjustments.   Rental  rate
increases  on new and renewal  leases (9.2% of total  square  footage)  averaged
11.0% for the six months; 3.3% before straight-line rent adjustments.

FFO  and  PNOI  are  non-GAAP  financial  measures,   which  are  defined  under
Definitions  later  in this  release.  Reconciliations  of FFO  and  PNOI to Net
Income, the most directly  comparable GAAP financial  measure,  are presented in
the  attached  schedule  "Reconciliations  of Other  Reporting  Measures  to Net
Income."

EARNINGS PER SHARE

On a diluted per share  basis,  earnings per common share (EPS) was $.37 for the
three months ended June 30, 2008,  compared to $.23 for the same period of 2007.
Diluted EPS was $.68 for the six-month  period in 2008 compared to $.48 in 2007.
The Company recognized gains on sales of real estate investments, gains on sales
of securities,  gain on involuntary conversion, and lease termination fee income
during the first six months of 2008.  These  transactions  increased  EPS in the
first six  months of 2008 by $.13 per share as  compared  to the same  period of
2007.

DEVELOPMENT

During the first six months of 2008,  EastGroup  transferred  seven  development
properties to the portfolio as detailed below:


                                                                                                    Percent         Projected
      Real Estate Properties Transferred                            Date                            Leased          Stabilized
           from Development in 2008                 Size         Transferred        Cost          at 07/23/08       Yield (1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                (Square feet)                  (In thousands)
                                                                                                        
Beltway Crossing IV, Houston, TX............         55,000       01/21/08      $     3,436           100%              9.4%
Beltway Crossing III, Houston, TX...........         55,000       02/01/08            3,231           100%              9.9%
Southridge XII, Orlando, FL.................        404,000       03/20/08           18,852           100%             10.1%
Arion 18, San Antonio, TX...................         20,000       03/31/08            2,607            91%              9.0%
Southridge VII, Orlando FL..................         92,000       04/01/08            6,509           100%              9.6%
Wetmore II, Bldg C, San Antonio, TX.........         69,000       05/29/08            3,691           100%              9.7%
Interstate Commons III, Phoenix, AZ.........         38,000       06/01/08            3,096            39%              8.1%
                                                 -----------                    ------------
   Total Developments Transferred...........        733,000                     $    41,422
                                                 ===========                    ============

(1)  Based on 100% occupancy and rents computed on a straight-line basis.

During the second  quarter,  EastGroup  began  construction  of five  additional
development properties totaling 373,000 square feet. These buildings,  which are
located in Houston,  Tampa,  West Palm Beach and Tucson,  have a projected total
investment of $28.5 million. Two of the properties, World Houston 28 and 29, are
build-to-suit developments and are 100% leased.

For the full year,  EastGroup  expects to have development  starts of $65 to $70
million with a total of approximately 1.1 million square feet.

At June 30, 2008, EastGroup had 23 development  properties  containing 1,989,000
square feet with a projected total cost of approximately  $144 million either in
lease-up or under construction. These properties were collectively 32% leased at
June 30, 2008 and 33% leased at July 23, 2008.

Subsequent to quarter-end, EastGroup acquired 12th Street Distribution Center, a
150,000 square foot building in Jacksonville, Florida. This purchase was part of
the Company's  Orlando  build-to-suit  transaction with United  Stationers.  The
Company purchased the vacant property for $3,730,000 and plans to redevelop

                                     -MORE-

   P. O. Box 22728 - JACKSON, MS 39225 - TEL. 601-354-3555 - FAX 601-352-1441



it for  multi-tenant  use for a projected  total  investment of  $4,685,000.  In
addition,  the Company  completed the  acquisition  of 12.2 acres of land in San
Antonio,  Texas,  for future  development.  The price was $1.9 million,  and the
Company plans to construct three buildings with a total of 176,000 square feet.

PROPERTY SALES

During the second  quarter,  EastGroup  received a  condemnation  award from the
State of Texas for its North  Stemmons I property  in Dallas.  The  Company  was
awarded  $4,698,000  as  payment  for the  building  and a  portion  of the land
associated  with the property.  A gain of  $1,949,000  (not included in FFO) was
recognized as a result of this  transaction.  The Company plans to develop a new
business distribution building on the remaining 4.9 acres.

DIVIDENDS

EastGroup paid dividends of $.52 per share of common stock in the second quarter
of 2008, which was the 114th consecutive quarterly distribution to the Company's
common shareholders. The annualized dividend rate of $2.08 per share yields 4.5%
on the closing stock price of $46.51 on July 22, 2008.

EastGroup  also paid  quarterly  dividends  of $.4969  per share on its Series D
Preferred Stock on July 15, 2008, to shareholders of record as of June 30, 2008.

STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION

EastGroup's balance sheet continues to be strong and flexible with debt-to-total
market  capitalization of 36% at June 30, 2008. For the quarter, the Company had
an interest  coverage  ratio of 3.7x and a fixed charge  coverage ratio of 3.4x.
Total debt at June 30, 2008 was $623.4  million  comprised of $535.6  million of
fixed rate mortgage debt and $87.8 million of floating rate bank debt.

During the second quarter, the Company sold 1,198,700 shares of its common stock
to Merrill Lynch,  Pierce,  Fenner & Smith  Incorporated.  Net proceeds from the
offerings  were  $57.2   million.   The  Company  used  the  proceeds  to  repay
indebtedness  outstanding  under its  revolving  credit  facility  and for other
general corporate purposes.

Also during the second quarter,  the Company  announced that it would redeem all
of its 1,320,000 shares of 7.95% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
The redemption  took place on July 2, 2008, at a redemption  price of $25.00 per
share plus  accrued  and  unpaid  dividends  for the  period  from July 1, 2008,
through and including the redemption  date of $.011 per share,  for an aggregate
redemption  price of $25.011 per Series D  Preferred  Share.  Original  issuance
costs of $674,000  ($.03 per share) were expensed in July.  If this  transaction
had occurred on June 30, 2008,  debt-to-total  market  capitalization would have
increased from 36.0% to 37.9%.

Mr.  Hoster  commented,  "This year  EastGroup  has  improved an already  strong
balance sheet through a series of attractive transactions. These include its new
$200  million,  unsecured  revolving  bank credit  facility  in  January;  a $78
million,  non-recourse,  seven-year  first mortgage with a 5.5% interest rate in
March;  and the issuance of  1,198,700  shares of common stock in April with net
proceeds  of  $57.2  million.  All of these  were  accomplished  in a  difficult
economic environment."

                                     -MORE-

   P. O. Box 22728 - JACKSON, MS 39225 - TEL. 601-354-3555 - FAX 601-352-1441



OUTLOOK FOR REMAINDER OF 2008

FFO per  share  for 2008 is  estimated  to be in the  range  of $3.24 to  $3.34.
Diluted  EPS for 2008 is  estimated  to be in the range of $1.18 to  $1.28.  The
table below reconciles projected net income to projected FFO.


                                                                       Low Range                High Range
                                                                  Q3 2008     Y/E 2008     Q3 2008     Y/E 2008
                                                                --------------------------------------------------
                                                                      (in thousands, except per share data)
                                                                --------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
Net income                                                      $   6,829       31,182       7,831       33,646
Costs of redemption - Series D Preferred                             (674)        (674)       (674)        (674)
Dividends on preferred shares                                         (14)      (1,326)        (14)      (1,326)
                                                                --------------------------------------------------
Net income available to common stockholders                         6,141       29,182       7,143       31,646
Depreciation and amortization                                      13,392       52,607      13,392       52,607
Gain on sale of depreciable real estate investment                      -       (1,949)          -       (1,949)
                                                                --------------------------------------------------
Funds from operations available to common stockholders          $  19,533       79,840      20,535       82,304
                                                                ==================================================

Diluted shares                                                     25,043       24,642      25,043       24,642

Per share data (diluted):
Net income available to common stockholders                     $    0.25         1.18         .29         1.28
Funds from operations available to common stockholders          $    0.78         3.24         .82         3.34


The following assumptions were used:

o    Original  issuance  costs of  $674,000  ($.03  per  share)  related  to the
     redemption of the Series D Preferred Stock expensed in the third quarter of
     2008.
o    Average occupancy of 93.5% to 95.5% for the year.
o    Same Property NOI increase of 0% to 2.5% for the year.
o    Non-same Property NOI:
     o    Development  properties not transferred to the portfolio by January 1,
          2007, contributing PNOI of $.51 per share for 2008.
     o    Acquisitions of operating properties of $10 million in the second half
          of 2008.
     o    Dispositions of operating properties of $20 million in the second half
          of 2008.
o    No termination fees for the remainder of the year.
o    No sales of land or other non-depreciable real estate.
o    No gains on sales of securities for the remainder of the year.
o    Floating rate bank debt at an average rate of 4.0%.
o    New fixed rate debt of $70 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 at 6.5%.


DEFINITIONS

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
available to common  stockholders  (FFO).  EastGroup defines FFO consistent with
the National  Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts'  definition,  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.  FFO as
defined by the Company  refers to FFO  available  to common  stockholders  as it
excludes dividends on preferred stock.

                                     -MORE-

   P. O. Box 22728 - JACKSON, MS 39225 - TEL. 601-354-3555 - FAX 601-352-1441



PNOI and FFO are supplemental  industry reporting  measurements used to evaluate
the  performance  of the  Company's  investments  in real estate  assets and its
operating  results.  The Company believes that the exclusion of depreciation and
amortization   in  the  industry's   calculations   of  PNOI  and  FFO  provides
supplemental  indicators of the properties' performance since real estate values
have  historically  risen or  fallen  with  market  conditions.  PNOI and FFO as
calculated  by the  Company  may  not be  comparable  to  similarly  titled  but
differently  calculated measures for other REITs. Investors should be aware that
items  excluded  from  or  added  back  to FFO  are  significant  components  in
understanding and assessing the Company's financial performance.

CONFERENCE CALL

EastGroup will host a conference  call and webcast to discuss the results of its
second quarter and review the Company's current operations on Thursday, July 24,
2008, at 11:00 a.m.  Eastern  Daylight  Time. A live broadcast of the conference
call is available by dialing  1-800-862-9098  (conference  ID  EastGroup)  or by
webcast through a link on the Company's website at www.eastgroup.net. If you are
unable to listen to the live  conference  call, a telephone  and webcast  replay
will be available  on Thursday,  July 24,  2008.  The  telephone  replay will be
available  until  Thursday,  July  31,  2008,  and can be  accessed  by  dialing
1-800-283-4783.  Also, the replay of the webcast can be accessed  through a link
on the  Company's  website  at  www.eastgroup.net  and will be  available  until
Thursday, July 31, 2008.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Supplemental  financial  information  is  available  by request  by calling  the
Company at  601-354-3555,  or by accessing the report in the Reports  section of
the Company's website at www.eastgroup.net.

COMPANY INFORMATION

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 and California.  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 25.1
million  square feet with an  additional  2.0 million  square feet of properties
under development.  EastGroup  Properties,  Inc. press releases are available on
the Company's website.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Company's  assumptions  and financial  projections in this release are based
upon  "forward-looking"  information  and are being  made  pursuant  to the safe
harbor  provisions  of the  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking  statements  are not in the  present  or past  tense  and can be
identified by the words "will,"  "anticipates,"  "expects," "believes," or other
words  or  phrases  that  indicate  future  trends  or  events.  Forward-looking
statements are inherently  subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties,
many of which the Company cannot predict, including, without limitation:

o    changes in general economic conditions;

o    the extent of tenant defaults or of any early lease terminations;

o    the Company's  ability to lease or re-lease space at current or anticipated
     rents;

o    the availability of financing;

                                     -MORE-

   P. O. Box 22728 - JACKSON, MS 39225 - TEL. 601-354-3555 - FAX 601-352-1441



o    changes in the supply of and demand for industrial/warehouse properties;

o    increases in interest rate levels;

o    increases in operating costs;

o    natural  disasters,  terrorism,  riots and acts of war,  and the  Company's
     ability to obtain adequate insurance;

o    changes in governmental regulation, tax rates and similar matters; and

o    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.

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.

                                     -MORE-

   P. O. Box 22728 - JACKSON, MS 39225 - TEL. 601-354-3555 - FAX 601-352-1441



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



                                                                                   Three Months Ended           Six Months Ended
                                                                                        June 30,                    June 30,
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   2008          2007           2008        2007
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                 
REVENUES
Income from real estate operations                                              $  41,458         36,955         81,564      72,814
Other income                                                                           21             20            216          45
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   41,479         36,975         81,780      72,859
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
Expenses from real estate operations                                               11,536         10,173         22,382      20,191
Depreciation and amortization                                                      12,625         11,931         25,007      23,047
General and administrative                                                          2,018          1,847          4,099       3,876
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   26,179         23,951         51,488      47,114
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

OPERATING INCOME                                                                   15,300         13,024         30,292      25,745

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investment                                      79             73            159         149
  Gain on sales of land                                                                 5              7             12          14
  Gain on sales of securities                                                           -              -            435           -
  Interest income                                                                      27             34             64          56
  Interest expense                                                                 (7,509)        (6,905)       (14,882)    (13,076)
  Minority interest in joint ventures                                                (137)          (158)          (293)       (308)
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                                   7,765          6,075         15,787      12,580
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
  Income from real estate operations                                                   32             57            101         139
  Gain on sales of real estate investments                                          1,949              -          1,949           -
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS                                                 1,981             57          2,050         139
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

NET INCOME                                                                          9,746          6,132         17,837      12,719

Preferred dividends-Series D                                                          656            656          1,312       1,312
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS                                     $   9,090          5,476         16,525      11,407
                                                                                ====================================================

BASIC PER COMMON SHARE DATA
  Income from continuing operations                                             $    0.29           0.23           0.60        0.47
  Income from discontinued operations                                                0.08           0.00           0.09        0.01
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
  Net income available to common stockholders                                   $    0.37           0.23           0.69        0.48
                                                                                ====================================================

  Weighted average shares outstanding                                              24,488         23,550         24,086      23,541
                                                                                ====================================================

DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA
  Income from continuing operations                                             $    0.29           0.23           0.60        0.47
  Income from discontinued operations                                                0.08           0.00           0.08        0.01
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
  Net income available to common stockholders                                   $    0.37           0.23           0.68        0.48
                                                                                ====================================================

  Weighted average shares outstanding                                              24,647         23,776         24,238      23,761
                                                                                ====================================================

Dividends declared per common share                                             $    0.52           0.50           1.04        1.00



                           EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
            RECONCILIATIONS OF OTHER REPORTING MEASURES TO NET INCOME
                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                   (UNAUDITED)



                                                                                   Three Months Ended           Six Months Ended
                                                                                        June 30,                    June 30,
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   2008          2007           2008        2007
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                 

RECONCILIATIONS OF OTHER REPORTING MEASURES TO NET INCOME:

Income from real estate operations                                              $   41,458        36,955         81,564      72,814
Expenses from real estate operations                                               (11,536)      (10,173)       (22,382)    (20,191)
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

PROPERTY NET OPERATING INCOME (PNOI)                                                29,922        26,782         59,182      52,623

Gain on sales of securities                                                              -             -            435           -
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investment
   (before interest and depreciation)                                                  198           193            396         390
Interest income                                                                         27            34             64          56
Other income                                                                            21            20            216          45
General and administrative expense                                                  (2,018)       (1,847)        (4,099)     (3,876)
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION AND
    AMORTIZATION (EBITDA)                                                           28,150        25,182         56,194      49,238

Income from discontinued operations (before depreciation and amortization)              49           152            154         313
Interest expense (1)                                                                (7,509)       (6,905)       (14,882)    (13,076)
Interest expense from unconsolidated investment                                        (86)          (87)          (171)       (175)
Minority interest in earnings (before depreciation and amortization)                  (188)         (199)          (393)       (387)
Gain on sales of land                                                                    5             7             12          14
Dividends on Series D preferred shares                                                (656)         (656)        (1,312)     (1,312)
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (FFO) AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS                        19,765        17,494         39,602      34,615

Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations                           (12,625)      (11,931)       (25,007)    (23,047)
Depreciation and amortization from discontinued operations                             (17)          (95)           (53)       (174)
Depreciation from unconsolidated investment                                            (33)          (33)           (66)        (66)
Minority interest depreciation and amortization                                         51            41            100          79
Gain on sales of depreciable real estate investments                                 1,949             -          1,949           -
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS                                          9,090         5,476         16,525      11,407

Dividends on preferred shares                                                          656           656          1,312       1,312
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

NET INCOME                                                                      $    9,746         6,132         17,837      12,719
                                                                                ====================================================
DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA: (2)
Income from continuing operations                                               $     0.29          0.23           0.60        0.47
Income from discontinued operations                                                   0.08          0.00           0.08        0.01
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
Net income available to common stockholders                                     $     0.37          0.23           0.68        0.48
                                                                                ====================================================

Funds from operations available to common stockholders                          $     0.80          0.74           1.63        1.46
                                                                                ====================================================

Weighted average shares outstanding for EPS and FFO purposes                        24,647        23,776         24,238      23,761
                                                                                ====================================================


(1)  Net of capitalized interest of $1,648 and $1,413 for the three months ended
     June 30,  2008 and 2007,  respectively;  and  $3,353 and $2,853 for the six
     months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
(2)  Assumes dilutive effect of common stock equivalents.