EastGroup applies the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, to account for its stock-based compensation plans. ASC 718 requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements and that the cost be measured on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.

In May 2004, the stockholders of the Company approved the EastGroup Properties, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”) that authorized the issuance of up to 1,900,000 shares of common stock to employees in the form of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock units, performance shares, bonus stock or stock in lieu of cash compensation. The 2004 Plan was further amended by the Board of Directors in September 2005 and December 2006.

In April 2013, the Board of Directors adopted the EastGroup Properties, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Equity Plan”) upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee; the 2013 Equity Plan was approved by the Company's stockholders and became effective May 29, 2013. The 2013 Equity Plan was further amended by the Board of Directors in March 2017. The 2013 Equity Plan permits the grant of awards to employees and directors with respect to 2,000,000 shares of common stock.

Stock-based compensation cost for employees was $7,605,000, $8,647,000 and $5,322,000 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, of which $1,923,000, $2,536,000 and $1,173,000 were capitalized as part of the Company’s development costs for the respective years.

The Company's restricted stock program is designed to provide incentives for management to achieve goals established by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the “Committee”). The awards act as a retention device, as they vest over time, allowing participants to benefit from dividends on shares as well as potential stock appreciation. Equity awards align management's interests with the long-term interests of shareholders. The vesting periods of the Company’s restricted stock plans vary, as determined by the Committee. Restricted stock is granted to executive officers subject to both continued service and the satisfaction of certain annual performance goals and multi-year market conditions as determined by the Committee. Restricted stock is granted to non-executive officers subject only to continued service. The cost for market-based awards and awards that only require service is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods. The total compensation expense for service and performance based awards is based upon the fair market value of the shares on the grant date.

In the second quarter of 2017, the Committee approved a long-term equity compensation plan for certain of the Company’s executive officers that includes three components based on total shareholder return and one component based only on continued service as of the vesting dates.

The three long-term equity compensation plan components based on total shareholder return are subject to bright-line tests that compare the Company's total shareholder return to the Nareit Equity Index and to the member companies of the Nareit industrial index. The first plan measured the bright-line tests over the one-year period ended December 31, 2017. During the first quarter of 2018, the Committee measured the Company's performance for the one-year period against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of May 10, 2017. The number of shares determined on the measurement date was 4,257. These shares vested 100% on March 1, 2018, the date the earned shares were determined. On the grant date of May 10, 2017, the Company began recognizing expense for this plan based on the grant date fair value of the awards which was determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the award.

The second plan measured the bright-line tests over the two-year period ended December 31, 2018. During the first quarter of 2019, the Committee measured the Company’s performance for the two-year period against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of May 10, 2017. The number of shares determined on the measurement date was 9,460. These shares vested 100% on February 14, 2019, the date the earned shares were determined. On the grant date of May 10, 2017, the Company began recognizing expense for this plan based on the grant date fair value of the awards which was determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the award.

The third plan measured the bright-line tests over the three-year period ended December 31, 2019. During the first quarter of 2020, the Committee measured the Company’s performance for the three-year period against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of May 10, 2017. The number of shares determined on the measurement date was 18,917. These shares vested 75% on February 13, 2020, the date the earned shares were determined, and 25% on January 1, 2021. On the grant date of May 10, 2017, the Company began recognizing expense for this plan based on the grant date fair value of the awards which was determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the award.

The component of the long-term equity compensation plan based only on continued service as of the vesting dates was awarded on May 10, 2017. On that date, 5,406 shares were granted to certain executive officers subject only to continued service as of the vesting dates. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $78.18 per share, vested 25% in the first quarter of 2018 and on each January 1 of 2019, 2020 and 2021. The shares were expensed on a straight-line basis over the service period.

In the second quarter of 2018, the Committee approved a long-term equity compensation plan for the Company’s executive officers that includes one component based on total shareholder return and one component based only on continued service as of the vesting dates.

The component of the long-term equity compensation plan based on total shareholder return is subject to bright-line tests that will compare the Company’s total shareholder return to the Nareit Equity Index and to the member companies of the Nareit industrial index. The plan will measure the bright-line tests over the three-year period ended December 31, 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, the Committee will measure the Company’s performance for the three-year period against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of June 1, 2018. The number of shares to be earned on the measurement date could range from zero to 27,087. These shares would vest 75% on the date the earned shares are determined in the first quarter

of 2021 and 25% on January 1, 2022. On the grant date of June 1, 2018, the Company began recognizing expense for this plan based on the grant date fair value of the awards which was determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the award.

The component of the long-term equity compensation plan based only on continued service as of the vesting dates was awarded on June 1, 2018. On that date, 7,884 shares were granted to the Company’s executive officers subject only to continued service as of the vesting dates. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $95.19, vested 25% in the first quarter of each of 2019, 2020 and 2021 and will vest 25% on January 1, 2022. The shares are being expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period.

In the first quarter of 2019, the Committee approved an equity compensation award (the “2019 Annual Grant”) for the Company’s executive officers based upon certain annual performance measures for 2019; the 2019 Annual Grant is comprised of three components.

The first component of the 2019 Annual Grant is based upon the following Company performance measures for 2019: (i) same property net operating income change, (ii) debt-to EBITDAre ratio, and (iii) fixed charge coverage. On February 13, 2020, the Committee measured the Company’s performance for 2019 against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of March 7, 2019 and determined that 9,162 shares were earned. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $105.97, vested 20% on the date shares were determined, 20% on January 1, 2021 and will vest 20% per year on each January 1 for the subsequent three years. On the grant date of March 7, 2019, the Company began recognizing expense for its estimate of the shares that may be earned pursuant to these awards; the shares are being expensed using the graded vesting attribution method which recognizes each separate vesting portion of the award as a separate award on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

The second component of the 2019 Annual Grant is based upon the Company’s funds from operations (“FFO”) per share for 2019. On February 13, 2020, the Committee measured the Company’s performance for 2019 against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of August 28, 2019 and determined that 15,990 shares were earned. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $122.61, vested 20% on the date shares were determined, 20% on January 1, 2021 and will vest 20% per year on each January 1 of 2022, 2023 and 2024. On the grant date of August 28, 2019, the Company began recognizing expense for its estimate of the shares that may be earned pursuant to these awards; the shares are being expensed using the graded vesting attribution method which recognizes each separate vesting portion of the award as a separate award on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

The third component of the 2019 Annual Grant is based upon the achievement of individual goals for each of the officers to whom shares were granted. On February 13, 2020, the Committee evaluated the performance of the officers and, in its discretion, awarded 5,860 shares with a grant date fair value of $141.63. These shares vested 20% on the date shares were determined and awarded and 20% on January 1, 2021 and will vest 20% per year on each January 1 of 2022, 2023 and 2024. The Company began recognizing the expense for the shares awarded on the grant date of February 13, 2020, and the shares will be expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period.

Also in the first quarter of 2019, the Committee approved a long-term equity compensation award for the Company’s executive officers that includes one component based on total shareholder return and one component based only on continued service as of the vesting dates.

The component of the long-term equity compensation award based on total shareholder return is subject to bright-line tests that will compare the Company’s total shareholder return to the Nareit Equity Index and to the member companies of the Nareit industrial index. The award will measure the bright-line tests over the three-year period ending December 31, 2021. During the first quarter of 2022, the Committee will measure the Company’s performance for the three-year period against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of March 7, 2019. The aggregate number of shares to be earned on the measurement date could range from zero to 33,442. These shares would vest 75% on the date the earned shares are determined in the first quarter of 2022 and 25% on January 1, 2023. On the grant date of March 7, 2019, the Company began recognizing expense for this award based on the grant date fair value of the awards which was determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the award.

The component of the long-term equity compensation award based only on continued service as of the vesting dates was awarded on March 7, 2019. On that date, an aggregate of 9,947 shares were granted to the Company’s executive officers subject only to continued service as of the vesting dates. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $105.97, vested 25% in the first quarter of 2020, 25% on January 1, 2021 and will vest 25% on each January 1 of 2022 and 2023. The shares are being expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period.

In the first quarter of 2020, the Committee approved an equity compensation plan (the “2020 Annual Grant”) for the Company’s executive officers based upon certain annual performance measures for 2020; the plan is comprised of two components.

The first component of the 2020 Annual Grant is based upon the following Company performance measures for 2020: (i) FFO per share, (ii) same property net operating income change, (iii) debt-to EBITDAre ratio, and (iv) fixed charge coverage. During the first quarter of 2021, the Committee will measure the Company’s performance for 2020 against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of March 6, 2020. The number of shares that may be earned for the achievement of the annual performance measures could range from zero to 19,282. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $131.36, would vest 34% on the date shares are determined and 33% per year on each January 1 in years 2022 and 2023. On the grant date of March 6, 2020, the Company began recognizing expense for its estimate of the shares that may be earned pursuant to these awards; the shares are being expensed using the graded vesting attribution method which recognizes each separate vesting portion of the award as a separate award on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

The second component of the 2020 Annual Grant is based upon the achievement of individual goals for each of the officers included in the plan. Any shares issued pursuant to the individual goals in this compensation plan will be determined by the Committee in its discretion and issued in the first quarter of 2021. The number of shares to be issued on the grant date for the achievement of individual goals could range from zero to 4,812. These shares would vest 34% on the date shares are determined and awarded and 33% per year on each January 1 in years 2022 and 2023. The Company will begin recognizing the expense for any shares awarded on the grant date in the first quarter of 2021, and the shares will be expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period.

Also in the first quarter of 2020, the Committee approved a long-term equity compensation plan for the Company’s executive officers that includes one component based on total shareholder return and one component based only on continued service as of the vesting dates.

The component of the long-term equity compensation plan based on total shareholder return is subject to bright-line tests that will compare the Company’s total shareholder return to the Nareit Equity Index and to the member companies of the Nareit industrial index. The plan will measure the bright-line tests over the three-year period ending December 31, 2022. During the first quarter of 2023, the Committee will measure the Company’s performance for the three-year period against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of March 6, 2020. The aggregate number of shares to be earned on the measurement date could range from zero to 25,261. These shares would vest 75% on the date the earned shares are determined in the first quarter of 2023 and 25% on January 1, 2024. On the grant date of March 6, 2020, the Company began recognizing expense for this plan based on the grant date fair value of the awards which was determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the award.

The component of the long-term equity compensation plan based only on continued service as of the vesting dates was awarded on March 6, 2020. On that date, an aggregate of 7,217 shares were granted to the Company’s executive officers subject only to continued service as of the vesting dates. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $131.36, will vest 25% in the first quarter of 2021 and 25% on each January 1 for the subsequent three years. The shares are being expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period.

During the second quarter of 2020, 12,300 shares were granted to certain non-executive officers subject only to continued service as of the vesting dates. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $105.30, vested 20% on January 1, 2021 and will vest 20% on each January 1 of 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The shares are being expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Committee adopted the Equity Award Retirement Policy (the “retirement policy”) which allows for accelerated vesting of unvested shares for retirement-eligible employees (defined as employees who meet certain age and years of service requirements). In order to qualify for accelerated vesting upon retirement, the eligible employees must provide required notification under the retirement policy and must retire from the Company. The Company has adjusted its stock-based compensation expense to accelerate the recognition of expense for retirement-eligible employees.

During the restricted period for awards no longer subject to contingencies, the Company accrues dividends and holds the certificates for the shares; however, the employee can vote the shares. For shares subject to contingencies, dividends are accrued based upon the number of shares expected to be awarded. Share certificates and dividends are delivered to the employee as they vest. As of December 31, 2020, there was $5,004,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested

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 for 2020, 2019 and 2018. Of the shares that vested in 2020, 2019 and 2018, 36,445 shares, 28,955 shares and 23,824 shares, respectively, were withheld by the Company to satisfy the tax obligations for those employees who elected this option as permitted under the applicable equity plan. As of the grant date, the fair value of shares that were granted during 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $7,028,000, $5,672,000 and $4,223,000, respectively. As of the vesting date, the fair value of shares that vested during 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $11,754,000, $6,662,000 and $5,142,000, respectively.


Restricted Stock Activity:	Years Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
	Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of year	130,884	$	82.78	143,314	$	70.26	152,644	$	63.18
Granted (1)	69,446	101.19		59,943	94.62		50,217	84.09
Forfeited	(440)	112.14		(3,010)	86.19		—	—
Vested	(86,765)	73.80		(69,363)	66.99		(59,547)	63.77
Unvested at end of year	113,125	100.86		130,884	82.78		143,314	70.26

(1) Does not include the restricted shares that may be earned if the performance goals established in 2018 and 2019 for long-term performance and in 2020 for annual and long-term performance are achieved. Depending on the actual level of achievement of the goals at the end of the open performance periods, the number of shares earned could range from zero to 109,884.

The Board of Directors has adopted a policy under the 2013 Equity Plan pursuant to which awards will be made to non-employee Directors. The current policy provides that the Company shall automatically award an annual retainer share award to each non-employee Director who has been elected or reelected as a member of the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting. The number of shares shall be equal to $100,000 divided by the fair market value of a share on the date of such election. If a non-employee Director is elected or appointed to the Board of Directors other than at an Annual Meeting of the Company, the annual retainer share award shall be pro rated. The policy also provides that each new non-employee Director appointed or elected will receive an automatic award of restricted shares of Common Stock on the effective date of election or appointment equal to $25,000 divided by the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on such date. These restricted shares will vest over a four-year period upon the performance of future service as a Director, subject to certain exceptions.

During the third quarter of 2020, 208 shares were granted to a newly elected non-employee Director subject only to continued service as of the vesting date. The shares, which have a grant date fair value of $120.39 per share, will vest 25% per year on July 13 in years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The shares are being expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period.