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 2009 RESULTS

o    Funds from  Operations  of $20.4  Million  or $.80 Per  Share,  Same as the
     Second Quarter of 2008
o    Net Income  Available  to Common  Stockholders  of $7.2 Million or $.28 Per
     Share
o    Same Property Net Operating  Income Decline of 2.6%; 2.3% Decrease  Without
     Straight-Line Rent Adjustments
o    92.6% Leased, 91.2% Occupied
o    Customer Retention Rate of 65% for the Second Quarter
o    Paid 118th Consecutive Quarterly Cash Dividend - $.52 Per Share
o    Interest and Fixed Charge Coverages of 3.6x for the Second Quarter
o    Issued 737,000 Shares of Common Stock with Net Proceeds of $24.6 Million
o    Closed on a $67 Million Mortgage at 7.5% Fixed Interest Rate with a 10-Year
     Term
o    10 Development Projects with Estimated Costs to Complete of $8 Million
o    No Debt Maturities  Requiring Balloon Payments for the Remainder of 2009 or
     for 2010
o    Bank Line Capacity of $131 Million as of June 30, 2009

JACKSON,  MISSISSIPPI,  July 29, 2009 - EastGroup  Properties,  Inc.  (NYSE-EGP)
announced today the results of its operations for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2009.

Commenting on the  Company's  performance  for the quarter,  David H. Hoster II,
President and CEO, stated, "We continue to be pleased with our operating results
for 2009 to-date which have exceeded  expectations.  Although industrial markets
are  anticipated  to  deteriorate further  through  the balance of the year with
decreasing  occupancy and lower rents,  we are actively  leasing space in all of
our major submarkets.

"During the second quarter,  we strengthened an already strong balance sheet and
are pursuing acquisition opportunities which we believe will be long-term growth
vehicles for the future. So far, this type investment has been limited."

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS

For the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, funds from operations (FFO) was $.80
per share, the same as the second quarter of 2008. Property net operating income
(PNOI)  increased 1.6% primarily due to additional PNOI of $1,151,000 from newly
developed  properties and $63,000 from 2008 and 2009  acquisitions,  offset by a
decrease of $778,000 from same property operations.

Same property  operating  results  decreased 2.6% for the quarter;  2.3% without
straight-line rent adjustments.  Rental rates on new and renewal leases (6.5% of
total square footage) decreased an average of 5.0% for the quarter; rental rates
decreased 8.9% without straight-line rent adjustments.

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, FFO was $1.63 per share, the same as the
first six months of 2008.  PNOI increased 3.3% mainly due to additional  PNOI of
$2,940,000  from newly  developed  properties  and  $542,000  from 2008 and 2009
acquisitions, offset by a decrease of $1,590,000 from same property operations.

For the first six months of 2009,  same  property  operating  results  decreased
2.8%;  2.3%  without  straight-line  rent  adjustments.  Rental rates on new and
renewal leases (11.4% of total square footage)  decreased an average of 5.0% for
the  six  months;   rental  rates  decreased  9.1%  without  straight-line  rent
adjustments.

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



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 $.28 for the
three months ended June 30, 2009,  compared to $.37 for the same period of 2008.
Diluted EPS was $.59 for the first six months of 2009,  compared to $.68 for the
same  period  of  2008.  EastGroup  recognized  gain on  sales  of  real  estate
investments,  gain on sales of securities,  and a gain on involuntary conversion
totaling  $2.6  million  ($.11 per share)  during the six months  ended June 30,
2008.

DEVELOPMENT

At June 30, 2009,  EastGroup's  development  program  consisted of 10 properties
containing  1,063,000  square feet with a projected total cost of  approximately
$80 million either in lease-up or under  construction.  As of June 30, 2009, the
Company had spent $72 million of the $80 million, and a portion of the remaining
costs will be spent only when leased.  These  properties were  collectively  31%
leased at June 30, 2009 and 33% leased at July 28, 2009.

During  the  second  quarter,  EastGroup  completed  shell  construction  on two
properties,  which are located in Texas and  Florida.  World  Houston 28 (59,000
square feet) is  currently  100% leased and was  transferred  to the real estate
portfolio in the second quarter.  Blue Heron III contains 20,000 square feet and
is currently in lease-up with projected total costs of $2.6 million.

The only buildings  undergoing  shell  construction are World Houston 29 and 30,
which contain 158,000 square feet and were  collectively  72% leased at July 28,
2009. These buildings have projected total costs of $11 million. There have been
no  construction  starts in 2009,  and none are planned for the remainder of the
year.

During the first six months of 2009,  EastGroup  transferred  seven  development
properties to the portfolio as detailed below:


                                                                                                          Percent       Projected
      Real Estate Properties Transferred                                Date                              Leased       Stabilized
           from Development in 2009                   Size          Transferred            Cost         at 7/28/09      Yield (1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 (Square feet)                        (In thousands)
                                                                                                            
40th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ....................          90,000          01/01/09         $    6,715          100%            7.1%
Wetmore II, Building B, San Antonio, TX.....          55,000          02/01/09              3,662           55%            8.8%
Beltway Crossing VI, Houston, TX............         128,000          04/01/09              6,150           50%            7.1%
World Houston 28, Houston, TX...............          59,000          04/24/09              4,583          100%            8.8%
Oak Creek VI, Tampa, FL.....................          89,000          05/01/09              5,642           61%            9.0%
Southridge VIII, Orlando, FL................          91,000          06/01/09              6,376           74%            8.1%
Techway SW IV, Houston, TX..................          94,000          06/01/09              6,166          100%            7.2%
                                                 -------------                         ------------
   Total Developments Transferred...........         606,000                           $   39,294
                                                 =============                         ============


(1)  Based on 100% occupancy and rents computed with straight-line adjustments.

PROPERTY ACQUISITION

In May, EastGroup acquired Arville  Distribution Center in Las Vegas,  Nevada, a
new market for the Company, for $11,050,000. Arville was constructed in 1997 and
is a  two-building,  business  distribution  complex  located  in  the  close-in
southwest submarket of the city. The complex contains 142,000 square feet and is
currently 68% leased to seven customers.

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



DIVIDENDS

EastGroup  paid cash  dividends  of $.52 per share of common stock in the second
quarter of 2009, which was the 118th consecutive  quarterly cash distribution to
the Company's common shareholders.  The Company's dividend payout ratio to funds
from operations was 65% for the quarter.  The annualized  dividend rate of $2.08
per share yields 5.7% on the closing stock price of $36.69 on July 28, 2009.

FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY

EastGroup  closed on a  mortgage,  issued new common  equity  and  continued  to
achieve  good debt  ratios  during  the  second  quarter.  Debt-to-total  market
capitalization  was  45.2% at June 30,  2009.  For the  quarter,  EastGroup  had
interest and fixed charge coverage  ratios of 3.6x.  Total debt at June 30, 2009
was $706.5  million  comprised of $612.4 million of fixed rate mortgage debt and
$94.1 million of floating rate bank debt.

During the second quarter,  the Company issued  approximately  737,000 shares of
common  stock at an average  price of $33.92 per share  through  its  continuous
equity  program with net proceeds to the Company of $24.6  million.  The Company
used the proceeds to reduce  variable rate bank  borrowings.  The purpose of the
equity  program was to better  position  the Company for growth  through  future
acquisitions while maintaining a strong balance sheet.

EastGroup  closed on a $67 million,  limited recourse first mortgage loan on May
5, 2009. The loan, which is secured by properties  containing 1.7 million square
feet,  has a  fixed  interest  rate of  7.5%,  a  10-year  term,  and a  20-year
amortization  schedule.  The Company used the proceeds to reduce  variable  rate
bank borrowings.

On June 1, 2009,  EastGroup repaid the remaining  $205,000 balance on a mortgage
loan with an interest rate of 8.875%.  The Company has no debt  maturities  that
require balloon payments for the remainder of 2009 or for 2010.

EastGroup has revolving  credit  facilities of $200 million and $25 million,  of
which $131 million was  available  to borrow as of June 30,  2009.  These credit
facilities mature in 2012.

OUTLOOK FOR REMAINDER OF 2009

FFO per  share  for 2009 is  estimated  to be in the  range  of $3.09 to  $3.17.
Diluted EPS for 2009 is estimated to be in the range of $.96 to $1.04. The table
below reconciles projected net income to projected FFO.


                                                                       Low Range                 High Range
                                                                  Q3 2009     Y/E 2009      Q3 2009     Y/E 2009
                                                                --------------------------------------------------
                                                                      (In thousands, except per share data)
                                                                                               
Net income available to common stockholders                     $   5,213       24,522       5,731       26,566
Depreciation and amortization                                      13,952       54,543      13,952       54,543
                                                                --------------------------------------------------
Funds from operations available to common stockholders          $  19,165       79,065      19,683       81,109
                                                                ==================================================

Diluted shares                                                     25,873       25,558      25,873       25,558

Per share data (diluted):
Net income available to common stockholders                     $    0.20         0.96        0.22         1.04
Funds from operations available to common stockholders          $    0.74         3.09        0.76         3.17


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



The following assumptions were used:

o    Average occupancy of 90.0% to 92.0% for the year.
o    No operating property  acquisitions or dispositions during the remainder of
     2009.
o    No development construction starts during the year.
o    Bad debt, net of  termination  fees, of $.02 per share for the remainder of
     the year.
o    Floating  rate bank debt at an average  rate of 1.5% for the  remainder  of
     2009.

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.

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 30,
2009, at 11:00 a.m.  Eastern Time. A live  broadcast of the  conference  call is
available by dialing  1-800-894-5910  (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 30, 2009.  The  telephone  replay will be available
until Thursday,  August 6, 2009, 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,  August 6,
2009.

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

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



facilities   generally   clustered   near  major   transportation   features  in
supply-constrained  submarkets.  EastGroup's  portfolio  currently  includes  27
million square feet. 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.  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:

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;

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.  See also  disclosures  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.

                                     -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,
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  2009          2008          2009           2008
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                 
REVENUES
Income from real estate operations                                              $  43,044       41,432        86,354         81,511
Other income                                                                           24           21            39            216
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   43,068       41,453        86,393         81,727
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
Expenses from real estate operations                                               12,670       11,526        25,261         22,365
Depreciation and amortization                                                      13,310       12,617        26,354         24,992
General and administrative                                                          2,166        2,018         4,727          4,099
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   28,146       26,161        56,342         51,456
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

OPERATING INCOME                                                                   14,922       15,292        30,051         30,271

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investment                                      82           79           163            159
  Gain on sale of non-operating real estate                                             7            5            15             12
  Gain on sales of securities                                                           -            -             -            435
  Interest income                                                                      32           27           156             64
  Interest expense                                                                 (7,817)      (7,509)      (15,318)       (14,882)
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                                   7,226        7,894        15,067         16,059
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
  Income from real estate operations                                                    -           40             -            122
  Gain on sale of real estate investments                                               -        1,949             -          1,949
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS                                                     -        1,989             -          2,071
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

NET INCOME                                                                          7,226        9,883        15,067         18,130
  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in joint ventures                (70)        (137)         (233)          (293)
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.                               7,156        9,746        14,834         17,837
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

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

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
  COMMON STOCKHOLDERS                                                           $   7,156        9,090        14,834         16,525
                                                                                ====================================================

BASIC PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR INCOME
  ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
  Income from continuing operations                                             $    0.28         0.29          0.59           0.60
  Income from discontinued operations                                                0.00         0.08          0.00           0.09
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
  Net income available to common stockholders                                   $    0.28         0.37          0.59           0.69
                                                                                ====================================================

  Weighted average shares outstanding                                              25,326       24,488        25,163         24,086
                                                                                ====================================================

DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR INCOME
  ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
  Income from continuing operations                                             $    0.28         0.29          0.59           0.60
  Income from discontinued operations                                                0.00         0.08          0.00           0.08
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
  Net income available to common stockholders                                   $    0.28         0.37          0.59           0.68
                                                                                ====================================================

  Weighted average shares outstanding                                              25,413       24,647        25,244         24,238
                                                                                ====================================================

AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
  COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
  Income from continuing operations                                             $   7,156        7,101        14,834         14,454
  Income from discontinued operations                                                   -        1,989             -          2,071
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
  Net income available to common stockholders                                   $   7,156        9,090        14,834         16,525
                                                                                ====================================================

Dividends declared per common share                                             $    0.52         0.52          1.04           1.04




                           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,
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    2009          2008          2009          2008
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  
RECONCILIATIONS OF OTHER REPORTING MEASURES TO NET INCOME:

Income from real estate operations                                              $   43,044       41,432         86,354       81,511
Expenses from real estate operations                                               (12,670)     (11,526)       (25,261)     (22,365)
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

PROPERTY NET OPERATING INCOME (PNOI)                                                30,374       29,906         61,093       59,146

Gain on sales of securities                                                              -            -              -          435
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investment
  (before interest and depreciation)                                                   198          198            395          396
Interest income                                                                         32           27            156           64
Other income                                                                            24           21             39          216
General and administrative expense (1)                                              (2,166)      (2,018)        (4,727)      (4,099)
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION AND
    AMORTIZATION (EBITDA)                                                           28,462       28,134         56,956       56,158


Income from discontinued operations (before depreciation and amortization)               -           65              -          190
Interest expense (2)                                                                (7,817)      (7,509)       (15,318)     (14,882)
Interest expense from unconsolidated investment                                        (83)         (86)          (166)        (171)
Noncontrolling interest in earnings (before depreciation and amortization)            (121)        (188)          (335)        (393)
Gain on sale of non-operating real estate                                                7            5             15           12
Dividends on Series D preferred shares                                                   -         (656)             -       (1,312)
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (FFO) AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS                        20,448       19,765         41,152       39,602

Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations                           (13,310)     (12,617)       (26,354)     (24,992)
Depreciation and amortization from discontinued operations                               -          (25)             -          (68)
Depreciation from unconsolidated investment                                            (33)         (33)           (66)         (66)
Noncontrolling interest depreciation and amortization                                   51           51            102          100
Gain on sale of depreciable real estate investments                                      -        1,949              -        1,949
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS               7,156        9,090         14,834       16,525

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

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.                           $    7,156        9,746         14,834       17,837
                                                                                ====================================================

DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE
  TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.:
Income from continuing operations                                               $     0.28         0.29           0.59         0.60
Income from discontinued operations                                                   0.00         0.08           0.00         0.08
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
Net income available to common stockholders                                     $     0.28         0.37           0.59         0.68
                                                                                ====================================================

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

Weighted average shares outstanding for EPS and FFO purposes                        25,413       24,647         25,244       24,238
                                                                                ====================================================


(1)  Net of capitalized  development costs of $329 and $758 for the three months
     ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively; and $675 and $1,717 for the six
     months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

(2)  Net of capitalized interest of $1,747 and $1,648 for the three months ended
     June 30,  2009 and 2008,  respectively;  and  $3,398 and $3,353 for the six
     months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.