UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  o

Check the appropriate box:

EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

400 W. Parkway Place, Suite 100
Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157

NOTICE OF 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To the Shareholders:

The 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of EastGroup Properties, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, at the offices of Butler Snow LLP, 1020 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 1400, Magnolia Room, Ridgeland, Mississippi. At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to:

All shareholders of record at the close of business on March 25, 2019 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

We are pleased to take advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow issuers to furnish proxy materials to their shareholders electronically. We believe these rules allow us to provide our shareholders with the information they need, while lowering the costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of the Meeting.

	By Order of the Board of Directors
	Brent W. Wood Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

DATED: April 12, 2019

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Shareholder Meeting to be Held on May 23, 2019.

This proxy statement and our 2018 Annual Report to Shareholders are
available at www.proxyvote.com

Whether or not you plan to attend the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, please carefully read the proxy statement and other proxy materials and complete a proxy for your shares as soon as possible. You may authorize your proxy via the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions on the website indicated in the materials you received in the mail. If you received a Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials, you may also request a paper or an e -mail copy of our proxy materials and a paper proxy card at any time. If you attend the Meeting, you may vote in person if you wish, even if you previously have submitted your proxy. However, please note that if your shares are held of record by a bank, broker or similar organization and you wish to vote in person at the Meeting, you must obtain a “legal proxy” issued in your name from such bank, broker or similar organization.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Every shareholder’s vote is important. Please complete, sign, date, and return your proxy form,
or authorize your proxy by phone or via the Internet. 

PROXY STATEMENT

The following information is furnished in connection with the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of EastGroup Properties, Inc. (the “Company”), to be held on May 23, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, at the offices of Butler Snow LLP, 1020 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 1400, Magnolia Room, Ridgeland, Mississippi. This proxy statement and 2018 Annual Report to shareholders are first being made available, and a Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials is first being mailed, to shareholders on or about April 12, 2019.

ABOUT THE 2019 ANNUAL MEETING

What is the purpose of the Meeting?

At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to elect the nine director nominees named in this proxy statement for a one-year term, ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019 and approve by a non-binding advisory vote the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (as defined below). In addition, management will report on the performance of the Company and respond to questions from shareholders.

Who is entitled to vote?

All shareholders of record as of the close of business on Monday, March 25, 2019 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to vote at the Meeting. As of the Record Date, 36,752,260 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) were issued and outstanding. Each share of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date is entitled to one vote on each item submitted to shareholders for consideration.

Why didn’t I automatically receive a paper copy of the Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report?

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules allow us to furnish proxy materials to our shareholders electronically. In an effort to lower the costs of delivery of proxy materials, as well as to reduce our use of paper, we have elected to take advantage of these rules by only mailing materials to those shareholders who specifically request a paper copy. On or around April 12, 2019, all shareholders were mailed a Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials that contained an overview of the proxy materials and explained several methods by which shareholders could view the proxy materials online or request to receive a copy of proxy materials via regular mail or email. There is NO charge for requesting a copy.

How can I get electronic access to the proxy materials?

The Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials includes a website address that will:

Choosing to receive future proxy materials by email will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will reduce the impact of our annual meetings on the environment. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by email will remain in effect until you terminate it.

Can I find additional information on the Company’s website?

Yes. Our website is located at www.eastgroup.net. Although the information contained on our website is not part of this proxy statement, you can view additional information on the website, such as our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, Corporate Governance Guidelines, charters of committees of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) and

reports that we file with the SEC. A copy of our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, Corporate Governance Guidelines and each of the charters of our Board committees may be obtained free of charge by writing to EastGroup Properties, Inc., 400 W. Parkway Place, Suite 100, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157, Attention: Investor Relations.

How do I vote?

Voting in Person at the Meeting. If you are a “registered owner” or “record holder” (i.e., you hold your shares in your own name as a holder of record with our transfer agent, EQ Shareowner Services) and you attend the Meeting, you may vote in person at the Meeting. If you are a “beneficial owner” because your bank, broker or similar organization is the holder of your shares (i.e., your shares are held in “street name”) and you wish to vote in person at the Meeting, you will need to obtain a “legal proxy” from the bank, broker or similar organization that holds your shares of Common Stock of record. If you attend the Meeting and you submit your vote in person, any previous votes that you submitted by mail or authorized via the Internet or by telephone will be superseded by the vote that you cast at the Meeting. Further instructions for in-person voting can be obtained by calling us at (601) 354-3555.

Voting by Proxy for Shares Registered Directly in the Name of the Shareholder. If you hold your shares of Common Stock in your own name as a holder of record with our transfer agent, EQ Shareowner Services, you may also instruct the proxy holders named in the proxy card how to vote your shares of Common Stock in one of the following ways:

Voting by Proxy for Shares Registered in Street Name. If your shares of Common Stock are held in street name, you will receive instructions from your bank, broker or similar organization that you must follow in order to have your shares voted.

Regardless of how you choose to vote, your vote is important to us and we encourage you to vote promptly.

What happens if I return my proxy card without voting on all proposals?

When you return a properly executed proxy card, the proxy holders named in the proxy card, Marshall A. Loeb and Brent W. Wood, will vote the shares that the proxy card represents in accordance with your directions. If you return the signed proxy card with no direction on a proposal, the proxy holders will vote your proxy FOR each of the Board’s nine director nominees named in this proxy statement, FOR the ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019 and FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.

Will there be any other items of business on the agenda?

Pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws and SEC rules, shareholder proposals must have been received by February 23, 2019 to be considered at the Meeting. To date, we have received no shareholder proposals and we do not expect any other items of business. Nonetheless, in case there is an unforeseen need, your proxy gives discretionary authority to Marshall A. Loeb and Brent W. Wood with respect to any other matters that might be properly brought before the Meeting. Those persons intend to vote that proxy in accordance with their best judgment.

How many votes are needed to hold the Meeting?

In order to conduct the Meeting, the presence, in person or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of shares of Common Stock entitled to cast a majority (i.e., greater than 50%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at the Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum. Shares of Common Stock represented by a properly signed, dated and returned proxy card, or proxies submitted by telephone or online, including abstentions and broker non-votes, will be treated as present at the Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum.

How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

Proposal 1 concerns the election of the nine director nominees named in this proxy statement for a one-year term. The votes cast “For” a nominee must exceed the votes cast “Against” the nominee for the nominee to be elected. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will have any legal effect on whether this proposal is approved as they do not count as votes cast for such matter. If a nominee fails to receive more “For” votes than votes cast “Against” and is an incumbent director, the nominee is required to tender a resignation to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board for consideration. If the resignation is not accepted, the nominee will continue to serve as director until the next annual meeting and until the director’s successor is duly elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier resignation or removal.

Proposal 2 concerns ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. This proposal will be approved if the votes cast “For” the proposal exceed the votes cast “Against” the proposal. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will have any legal effect on whether this proposal is approved. Even though the vote is advisory and non-binding, the Audit Committee of the Board will consider a vote against the firm by the shareholders in selecting the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in the future.

Proposal 3 concerns approval by a non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Named Executive Officers disclosed in the section of this proxy statement entitled “Compensation of Executive Officers.” For the non-binding advisory vote to be approved, the votes cast “For” the proposal must exceed the votes cast “Against” this proposal. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will have any legal effect on whether this proposal is approved.

Can I change my vote after I have voted?

Yes. You can revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the polls close at the Meeting. You can do this by:

How do I submit a proposal for the 2020 Annual Meeting?

If a shareholder wishes to have a proposal considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholder must submit the proposal in writing to the Secretary of the Company at 400 W. Parkway Place, Suite 100, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157 so that the Company receives the proposal by February 23, 2020.

If the proposal is not intended to be included in the Company’s proxy statement, a qualified shareholder intending to introduce a proposal or nominate a director at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders should give written notice to the Company’s Secretary not later than February 23, 2020 and not earlier than January 24, 2020 (although these dates may be adjusted in the event that the date of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary date of the Meeting).

Shareholders also are advised to review the Company’s Bylaws, which contain additional advance notice requirements, including requirements with respect to advance notice of shareholder proposals and director nominations.

Will anyone contact me regarding this vote?

No arrangements or contracts have been made with any solicitors as of the date of this proxy statement, although we reserve the right to engage solicitors if we deem them necessary. Such solicitations may be made by mail, telephone, facsimile, email or other electronic means or personal interviews. In addition, we reserve the right to solicit proxies through our directors, officers and employees (who will receive no additional compensation for those services). We anticipate that banks, brokerage houses and other institutions, nominees or fiduciaries will be requested to forward the soliciting material to their principals and to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies. The Company may, upon request, reimburse banks, brokerage houses and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries for their expenses in forwarding proxy material to their principals.

Who has paid for this proxy solicitation?

The Company has paid the entire expense of this proxy statement and any additional materials furnished to shareholders.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

Director Qualifications and Biographical Information

The biography of each director below contains information regarding that person’s principal occupation, tenure with the Company, business experience, other director positions currently held or held at any time during the past five years, and the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to the conclusion by the Board that such person should serve as a director of the Company.

D. Pike Aloian, age 64 − Mr. Aloian has served as a director of the Company since 1999. His financial and investment experience, knowledge of capital markets and experience on other public and private company boards prepare him to give the Board his views on real estate investment markets and financial matters. He is a partner of Almanac Realty Investors, LLC (formerly known as Rothschild Realty Managers, LLC), a real estate advisory and investment management firm based in New York that specializes in providing growth capital to public and private real estate companies. At Almanac, Mr. Aloian is responsible for originating investment opportunities, negotiating and structuring transactions, and monitoring the investments over their respective lives. Mr. Aloian served on the Board of Directors of Brandywine Realty Trust from 1999 to 2012 and was most recently a member of its Audit, Corporate Governance and Executive Committees. He graduated from Harvard College and received an MBA from Columbia University.

H.C. Bailey, Jr., age 79 − Mr. Bailey has served as a director of the Company since 1980. He provides valuable insight to the Board with respect to the historical and future direction of the Company based on his many years of experience on the Board together with his decades of experience in the real estate, finance and real estate development industries. He is Chairman and President of H.C. Bailey Company and its affiliated companies, and has been employed in various capacities with that company since 1962. The companies’ primary areas of activity have been in real estate investments, development, property management, mortgage banking, financial institutions, lumber and supply company, and general insurance. The companies presently own or have previously owned and/or operated office buildings, hotels, shopping centers, and commercial and residential developments. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a BA degree and a graduate of the School of Mortgage Banking, Northwestern University, in cooperation with the Mortgage Bankers Association of America.

H. Eric Bolton, Jr., age 62 − Mr. Bolton has served as a director of the Company since 2013 and as Lead Director since 2017. He brings extensive business and real estate operating experience to the Board. Mr. Bolton has been Chief Executive Officer of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (“MAA”), a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that owns and operates apartment communities, since October 2001 and Chairman of the Board of Directors of MAA since September 2002. He joined MAA in 1994 as Vice President of Development and was named Chief Operating Officer in February 1996 and promoted to President in December 1996. Prior to that time, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Trammell Crow Realty Advisors. Mr. Bolton served on the Board of Directors of Interstate Hotels and Resorts, Inc. from 2008 to 2010. He currently serves on the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“Nareit”) Advisory Board of Governors. He received a BBA in Accounting from the University of Memphis and an MBA with a concentration in Finance and Real Estate from the University of North Texas.

Donald F. Colleran, age 63 − Mr. Colleran was appointed a director of the Company in August 2017. His leadership positions provide broad experience and allow him to provide valuable insight to the Company and the Board regarding operational and strategic issues. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of FedEx Express and also serves on the Strategic Management Committee of FedEx Corporation, which sets the strategic direction for FedEx. Mr. Colleran joined FedEx in 1989, where he has served in a variety of leadership roles including Executive Vice President, Chief Sales Officer of FedEx Corporation from 2016 to 2019 and Executive Vice President, Global Sales of FedEx Services from 2006 to 2016. Mr. Colleran has also served on the Board of Directors of ABM Industries since September 2018. He received a BBA from the University of New Hampshire.

Hayden C. Eaves III, age 73 − Mr. Eaves has served as a director of the Company since 2002. Mr. Eaves’ leadership and experience in the real estate, real estate development and real estate operations business, particularly

in the California and Arizona real estate markets, are valuable to the Board. Mr. Eaves has extensive experience in the real estate industry. He is currently President of Hayden Holdings, Inc., a family investment management company and an advisor to IDS Real Estate Group, where he served as a Managing Director until 2006. Previously, Mr. Eaves was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Western Region of Trammell Crow Company until 1995, where he was responsible for 52 million square feet of industrial, office and retail space in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Nevada. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Watson Land Company, a private developer, owner, and manager of industrial properties located in Southern California. Mr. Eaves received a BS in Accounting from California State University of Los Angeles.

Fredric H. Gould, age 83 − The Company announced in October 2018 that Mr. Gould notified the Company of his decision to retire from service on the Board following the completion of his current term. Consequently, Mr. Gould will not stand for re-election to the Board at the Meeting. Mr. Gould has served as a director of the Company since 1998. He has extensive experience in commercial real estate lending and operations, including as the chief executive of a public real estate company, and he provides the Board with perspective on financial, operational and strategic matters. Mr. Gould is a member of the Board of Directors of BRT Apartments Corp. (formerly known as BRT Realty Trust) since 1984 and Vice-Chairman of One Liberty Properties, Inc. since 2013. He is also the Chairman of the General Partner of Gould Investors L.P., a limited partnership engaged in real estate ownership. He previously served on the Nareit Board of Governors as well as the Board of Directors of the Real Estate Board of New York where he was also a member of its Finance Committee. Mr. Gould received a BBA from Lehigh University and an LLB, cum laude, from New York Law School.

David H. Hoster II, age 73 − Mr. Hoster is Chairman of the Board, a position he has held since January 2016. Previously, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 1997 to December 2015. He has served as a director since 1993 and was President of the Company from 1993 to March 2015. His leadership experience and knowledge of the Company and the industry in which we operate, including 40 years’ involvement with publicly held REITs and extensive experience with industrial real estate, provide valuable insight to the Board in formulating and executing the Company’s strategy. Mr. Hoster previously served on the Board of Directors of Trustmark National Bank and Trustmark Corporation until April 2016 and on the Nareit Board of Governors. He received a BA degree with honors from Princeton University and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Marshall A. Loeb, age 56 − Mr. Loeb has served as the President of the Company since March 2015 and Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company since January 2016. He rejoined the Company as President and Chief Operating Officer in March 2015 from Glimcher Realty Trust, now Washington Prime Group Inc., a retail REIT that owns, develops and manages shopping centers in the United States, where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 2005 to 2015. From 2000 to 2005, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Parkway Properties, Inc. Previously, Mr. Loeb was employed by the Company from 1991 to 2000, beginning as an asset manager and rising to senior vice president after having a variety of responsibilities with the Company. Mr. Loeb has almost 30 years of experience with publicly held REITs and brings real estate industry, finance, operations, development, and executive leadership expertise to the Board. He received a BS in Accounting and a Master of Tax Accounting degree from the University of Alabama, then earned an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business.

Mary E. McCormick, age 61 − Ms. McCormick has served on the Board since 2005. Ms. McCormick has extensive experience in real estate, capital markets, and corporate governance and brings that expertise to Board discussions. Ms. McCormick serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Real Estate at The Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University where she is also a Senior Lecturer. She served the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System from 1989 through 2005, where she was responsible for directing real estate investments and overseeing an internally managed REIT portfolio. She has served on the boards of multiple public and private real estate companies and as a Senior Advisor for Almanac Realty Partners from 2010 to 2016. Ms. McCormick has held a number of leadership positions for a variety of national and regional real estate associations, including Chair of the Pension Real Estate Association. She has served on the Board of Directors of Xenia Hotels and Resorts, a lodging REIT, since 2015 and previously served on the Board of Directors of MAA from 2006 to 2010. Ms. McCormick is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Pension Real Estate Association. She has a Bachelor’s degree and an MBA from The Ohio State University.

Leland R. Speed, age 86 − Mr. Speed is Chairman Emeritus of the Board, a position he has held since January 2016. He served as the Chairman of the Board from 1983 to December 2015 and a director since 1978. He brings extensive knowledge of the Company, experience in commercial real estate and real estate development as

well as his current experience as an active member of public and charitable boards. He served as Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and Parkway Properties, Inc. until 1997, as Chairman of the Board of Parkway from 1980 until 2011 and as Chairman Emeritus of Parkway until 2012. From 2004 to 2006 and from March 2011 to January 2012, Mr. Speed served as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, the State of Mississippi’s lead economic development agency. He has served in various capacities at Nareit, including the Board of Governors and was the recipient of the 2008 Industry Leadership Award. He received his BS in Industrial Management from Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business.

Independent Directors

Under the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listing standards, at least a majority of the Company’s directors and all of the members of the Company’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee must meet the test of “independence” as defined by the NYSE. The NYSE standards provide that, to qualify as an “independent” director, in addition to satisfying certain bright-line criteria, the Board must affirmatively determine that a director has no material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company) that would interfere with such person’s ability to exercise independent judgment as a member of the Company’s Board.

Our Board currently has ten members: D. Pike Aloian, H.C. Bailey, Jr., H. Eric Bolton, Jr., Donald F. Colleran, Hayden C. Eaves III, Fredric H. Gould, David H. Hoster II, Marshall A. Loeb, Mary E. McCormick and Leland R. Speed. The Board has determined that each director who served during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was, and each current director continues to be, independent other than Mr. Loeb, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Hoster, the Company’s Chairman of the Board; and Mr. Speed, the Company’s Chairman Emeritus.

Several of our directors serve as an executive officer at a company with whom we may directly or indirectly do business. The Board determined that the commercial relationships involving routine, arms-length transactions between the Company and these companies were not considered a material relationship that would impair the director’s independence. We provide additional details about these relationships in the following table.

Shareholder Communication with the Board

The Board has created the position of Lead Independent Director to facilitate and strengthen the Board’s independent oversight of our performance, strategy and succession planning and to promote effective governance standards. The Lead Independent Director presides over the meetings of the non-management directors of the Company. Our current Lead Independent Director is Mr. Bolton. Shareholders and other parties interested in

communicating directly with the Lead Independent Director or with the non-management directors as a group may do so by writing to Lead Independent Director, EastGroup Properties, Inc., 400 W. Parkway Place, Suite 100, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157. Correspondence so addressed will be forwarded directly to the Lead Independent Director, who will forward any such communication to the director(s) to whom the communication is addressed.

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and Other Policies

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

Our Board adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code of Ethics”), which governs business decisions made and actions taken by our directors, officers and employees. A copy of this Code of Ethics is available on our website at http://investor.eastgroup.net/govdocs. We intend to disclose on this website any amendment to, or waiver of, any provision of this Code of Ethics applicable to our directors and executive officers that would otherwise be required to be disclosed under the rules of the SEC or the NYSE.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our Board adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, a copy of which is available on our website at http://investor.eastgroup.net/govdocs.

Copies of our Code of Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines may also be obtained free of charge by writing to EastGroup Properties, Inc., 400 W. Parkway Place, Suite 100, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157, Attention: Investor Relations.

Leadership Structure

Our current leadership structure is comprised of the Chairman of the Board, a separate Chief Executive Officer, an independent director serving as Lead Independent Director who presides over the non-management directors, and strong active independent directors. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Loeb is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Company and for the day to day leadership and management of the Company, while Mr. Hoster, Chairman of the Board, provides oversight, direction and leadership to the Board.

Another component of our leadership structure is the active role played by our independent directors in overseeing the Company’s business, both at the Board and Committee level. Seven of the current ten directors are considered independent under the NYSE listing standards. All of our directors are free to suggest the inclusion of items on the agenda for meetings of our Board or raise subjects that are not on the agenda for that meeting. In addition, our Board and each committee have complete and open access to any member of management and the authority to retain independent legal, financial and other advisors as they deem appropriate without consulting or obtaining the approval of any member of management. Our Board also holds regularly scheduled executive sessions of only non-management directors, led by the Lead Independent Director, in order to promote discussion among the non-management directors and assure independent oversight of management. Moreover, our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, all of which are comprised entirely of independent directors, also perform oversight functions independent of management.

Board Oversight of Risk Management

The Company believes that its leadership structure allows the Board to provide effective oversight of the Company’s risk management function by receiving and discussing regular reports prepared by the Company’s senior management on areas of material risk to the Company, including market conditions, tenant concentrations and credit worthiness, leasing activity and expirations, compliance with debt covenants, management of debt maturities, access to debt and equity capital markets, existing and potential legal claims against the Company, cyber-security including cyber-attacks and computer viruses, and various other matters relating to the Company’s business. Additionally, the Board administers its risk oversight function through (i) the required approval by the Board (or a committee thereof) of significant transactions and other decisions, including, among others, development and acquisitions of properties, new borrowings and the appointment and retention of the Company’s senior management, (ii) the coordination of the direct oversight of specific areas of the Company’s business by the Compensation, Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, and (iii) periodic reports from the Company’s auditors and other outside consultants regarding various areas of potential risk, including, among others, those relating to the qualification of the Company as a REIT for tax purposes, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and the security of the electronic systems which the Company relies upon to conduct its business.

Committees and Meeting Data

The Board has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each member of each of these committees is “independent” as that term is defined in the NYSE listing standards. The Board has adopted written charters for each of these committees, which are available on our website at http://investor.eastgroup.net/govdocs.

The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Aloian and Bolton and Ms. McCormick. The Audit Committee met seven times during the Company’s 2018 fiscal year. The Audit Committee oversees the financial reporting of the Company, including the audit by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and the internal audit department. Messrs. Aloian and Bolton and Ms. McCormick have each been designated as an “Audit Committee financial expert” in accordance with the SEC rules and regulations, and the Board has determined that they have accounting and related financial management expertise within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE. See “Report of the Audit Committee” later in this proxy statement.

The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Bailey, Bolton, Colleran, Eaves and Gould. The Compensation Committee met four times during the Company’s 2018 fiscal year. The Compensation Committee’s function is to review and recommend to the Board appropriate executive compensation policy and compensation of the Company’s directors and executive officers. The Compensation Committee also reviews and makes recommendations with respect to executive and employee benefit plans and programs.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Messrs. Aloian and Eaves and Ms. McCormick. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met three times during the Company’s 2018 fiscal year. The responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include assessing Board membership needs and identifying, screening, recruiting and presenting director candidates to the Board, implementing policies regarding corporate governance matters, making recommendations regarding committee memberships and sponsoring and overseeing performance evaluations for the Board as a whole and the directors.

Nominating Procedures

In identifying suitable candidates for nomination as a director, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the needs of the Board and the range of skills and characteristics required for effective functioning of the Board. Although the Company does not have a formal policy or guidelines regarding diversity, the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines recognize the value of having a Board that encompasses a broad range of skills, expertise, contacts, industry knowledge and diversity of opinion. In evaluating such skills and characteristics, the Committee may take into consideration such factors as it deems appropriate, including those included in the Corporate Governance Guidelines. Current members of the Board with skills and experience that are relevant to the Company’s business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees suggested by incumbent Board members, management, shareholders and, in certain circumstances, outside search firms; as such, shareholders may influence the composition of the Board. Under this principle, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider written recommendations for potential nominees suggested by shareholders. Any such person will be evaluated in the same manner as any other potential nominee for director. Any suggestion for a nominee for director by a shareholder should be sent to the Company’s Secretary at 400 W. Parkway Place, Suite 100, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157, within the time periods set forth under the heading “About the Meeting – How do I submit a proposal for the 2020 Annual Meeting?”.

Board Attendance at Meetings

The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that all directors are expected to regularly attend all meetings of the Board and the Board committees on which he or she serves. The Board held five meetings during the Company’s 2018 fiscal year and each meeting was attended by all of the directors then in office. Additionally, each director attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he or she served. Each director nominee also is expected to attend the Meeting. All ten board members who were directors at the time of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders attended that meeting.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

As noted above, the Compensation Committee is comprised of five independent directors: Messrs. Bailey, Bolton, Colleran, Eaves and Gould. No member of the Compensation Committee is or was formerly an officer or an

employee of the Company. No executive officer of the Company serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Company’s Board, nor has such interlocking relationship existed in the past.

Compensation of Directors

We believe that a combination of cash and equity compensation is appropriate to attract and retain the individuals we desire to serve on our Board and that this approach is comparable to the policies of our peers. We feel that it is appropriate to provide cash compensation to our non-employee directors to compensate them for their time and effort and to provide equity compensation to our non-employee directors to align their long-term interests with those of the Company and our shareholders.

Under the Company’s director compensation program as set forth in the Independent Director Compensation Policy, each non-employee director is paid an annual cash retainer in the amount of $44,000, payable ratably on a monthly basis. The chairperson of each committee and the Lead Independent Director receive an additional cash retainer as shown below.

Non-chairperson committee members receive no additional cash retainer for their service on a committee.

A non-employee director who is appointed to the Board outside of an annual meeting of shareholders will receive a prorated amount of the applicable annual cash retainer, based on the time between his or her appointment and our next annual meeting of shareholders.

The Independent Director Compensation Policy provides that each non-employee director is paid $1,500 for each Board meeting attended. In addition, non-employee directors serving as members of Board committees are paid $1,000 for each committee meeting attended. In each case, the non-employee director is also reimbursed for his or her expenses in connection with attendance at each meeting.

Pursuant to the Independent Director Compensation Policy, non-employee directors receive an annual award under the Company’s 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, in connection with their election to the Board at the annual meeting of shareholders. The annual award consists of shares of the Company’s Common Stock determined by dividing $86,000 by the fair market value of a share of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. If a fraction results, the number of shares shall be rounded up to the next whole number. A non-employee director who is appointed to the Board outside of the annual meeting of shareholders will receive a prorated amount of the annual award, based on the time between his or her appointment and our next annual meeting of shareholders.

The Independent Director Compensation Policy also provides that each new non-employee director appointed or elected will receive an automatic award of restricted shares of Common Stock, under the Company’s 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, on the effective date of election or appointment, the number of which equals $25,000 divided by the fair market value of a share of the Company’s Common Stock on such date. If a fraction results, the number of shares shall be rounded up to the next whole number. These restricted shares will vest over a four-year period, subject to the director’s continuous service on our Board on each applicable vesting date.

As an employee of the Company, Mr. Loeb did not receive any compensation under the Independent Director Compensation Policy during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The compensation received by Mr. Loeb, as a Named Executive Officer of the Company, is presented in “Compensation of Executive Officers – Summary Compensation Table” below. The Company’s non-employee directors received the following aggregate amounts of compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED ON

Proposal 1 – Election of Directors

In March 2019, the Board reduced the size of the Board from ten members to nine members in connection with Mr. Gould’s retirement from the Board. Accordingly, in accordance with our Bylaws, the Board has by resolution fixed the number of directors to be elected at the Meeting at nine. All nine positions on the Board are to be filled by the vote of the shareholders at the Meeting. Each person so elected shall serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.

The nominees for director are: D. Pike Aloian, H.C. Bailey, Jr., H. Eric Bolton, Jr., Donald F. Colleran, Hayden C. Eaves III, David H. Hoster II, Marshall A. Loeb, Mary E. McCormick and Leland R. Speed. All nominees are currently serving as directors of the Company and were elected at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Unless instructed otherwise, proxies will be voted “FOR” the nominees listed above. Although the directors do not contemplate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve prior to the Meeting, if such a situation arises, your proxy will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the person or persons voting the proxy.

Information regarding the director nominees can be found under “Corporate Governance and Board Matters – Director Qualifications and Biographical Information.”

Nominees receiving more “For” votes than votes cast “Against” will be elected. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will have any legal effect on whether this proposal is approved.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF MESSRS. ALOIAN, BAILEY, BOLTON, COLLERAN, EAVES, HOSTER, LOEB, AND SPEED AND MS. MCCORMICK TO SERVE ON THE BOARD UNTIL THE 2020 ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER MEETING AND UNTIL A SUCCESSOR FOR EACH IS DULY ELECTED AND QUALIFIES.

Proposal 2 – Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company. The Audit Committee has appointed KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. KPMG was first appointed as our independent registered public accounting firm effective in 1970 to audit the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1970. The Board is asking shareholders to approve this appointment. KPMG audited the Company’s financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. A representative of KPMG will be present at the Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement and answer appropriate questions.

The “Audit Committee Matters” section of this Proxy Statement contains additional information regarding the independent auditors, including a description of the Audit Committee’s Policy for Pre-Approval of Audit and Permitted Non-Audit Services and a summary of Auditor Fees and Services.

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the appointment of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to serve as the Company’s independent auditors for the 2019 fiscal year.

Shareholder ratification of the appointment of KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is not required by the Company’s Bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board is submitting the appointment of KPMG to the shareholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the shareholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee may reconsider whether or not to retain KPMG in the future. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company. This proposal will be approved if the votes cast “For” the proposal exceed the votes cast “Against” the proposal. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will have any legal effect on whether this proposal is approved.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019.

Proposal 3 – Non-Binding Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we are asking our shareholders to vote on a non-binding advisory vote approving the compensation awarded to our Named Executive Officers, as we have described it in the “Compensation of Executive Officers” section of this Proxy Statement.

As described in greater detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we seek to closely align the interests of our Named Executive Officers with the interests of our shareholders. Our compensation programs are designed to reward our Named Executive Officers for the achievement of short-term and long-term strategic and operational goals and the achievement of increased total shareholder return, while at the same time avoiding the encouragement of unnecessary or excessive risk-taking.

This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers and the philosophy, policies and procedures described in this proxy statement, pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K. In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, and as a matter of good corporate governance, we are asking shareholders to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the following resolution at the Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”

You may vote for or against the resolution, or you may abstain.

For the advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers to be approved, the votes cast “For” the proposal must exceed the votes cast “Against” this proposal. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will have any legal effect on whether this proposal is approved. While this vote is advisory and not binding on our Company, the Board and the Compensation Committee expect to consider the outcome of the vote, along with other relevant factors, when considering future executive compensation decisions.

While the say-on-pay vote is advisory and will be non-binding, the Compensation Committee does value the opinions of our shareholders and intends to take the results of the vote on this proposal into account in its future decisions regarding the compensation of our named executive officers. Unless the Board modifies its policy on the frequency of future say-on-pay advisory votes, the next say-on-pay advisory vote will be held at the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders, and the next advisory vote on the frequency of holding a say-on-pay vote will occur no later than the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THIS RESOLUTION.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE MATTERS

Environmental Matters

At the Company, protecting the environment is important to the Company’s employees, families, customers and communities. The Company strives for efficiency in operating our properties with innovative solutions that lower operational costs and reduce our environmental footprint. Through the Company’s continued efforts, we have obtained 25 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) certifications, including one LEED Silver certification, and various ENERGY STAR certifications, reflecting the Company’s commitment to pursue environmentally conscious performance and standards. We have initiated several energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives such as installation of skylights, motion sensor lighting, smart technology irrigation controllers with water flow sensors and electric car charging stations. The Company’s continued commitment to sustainability best practices creates long-term value for the environment, the Company and shareholders.

Social Matters

The Company and its employees are committed to social responsibility and participate in various charitable service organizations in the Company’s business communities. We prioritize charitable contributions that employees are directly involved with such as Goodwill Industries, Make-A-Wish, and the University of Mississippi MIND Center. The Company’s employees volunteer for numerous charities, and the Company coordinates volunteer opportunities for its employees and allows time away from work to encourage participation and increase social engagement in all the communities in which we operate. Additionally, the Company is committed to its status as an equal opportunity employer. We strive to attract, develop and advance a qualified and diverse workforce that will strengthen our company and our culture.

Governance Matters

We believe our corporate governance policies are well aligned with the interests of our shareholders. The Company’s Board has long upheld their mission to foster the long-term success of the Company while maintaining the highest regard for our fiduciary responsibility to our shareholders and employees. The Company is committed to maintaining the highest standards for policies and practices in place across our company. Highlights of our Corporate Governance program include:

Our Code of Ethics provides guidance for recognizing potential issues encountered in conducting company business and for making decisions that conform to our legal and ethical standards. All directors, officers, and employees are expected to be familiar with the Code of Ethics and adhere to those principals and procedures.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following provides certain information regarding our executive officers. Each individual’s name and position with the Company is indicated. In addition, the principal occupation and business experience for the past five years is provided for each officer and, unless otherwise stated, each person has held the position indicated for at least the past five years. There are no family relationships between any of the directors or executive officers of the Company.

Marshall A. Loeb, age 56 − Mr. Loeb has served as the President of the Company since March 2015 and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since January 2016. He rejoined the Company as President and Chief Operating Officer in March 2015 from Glimcher Realty Trust, where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 2005 to 2015. From 2000 to 2005, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Parkway Properties, Inc. Mr. Loeb, who was with the Company from 1991 to 2000, began with the Company as an asset manager and rose to senior vice president after having a variety of responsibilities with the Company.

Brent W. Wood, age 49 − Mr. Wood has served as an Executive Vice President since May 2017 and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company since August 2017. He was a Senior Vice President of the Company from 2003 to 2017, a Vice President of the Company from 2000 to 2003, a Senior Asset Manager of the Company from 1997 to 1999 and Assistant Controller of the Company from 1996 to 1997.

John F. Coleman, age 59 − Mr. Coleman has served as an Executive Vice President of the Company since May 2017. He was a Senior Vice President of the Company from 2001 to 2017. From 1994 until 2001, he was a Senior Vice President of Weeks Corporation and its successor Duke Realty Corporation (an industrial/office real estate investment trust).

Ryan M. Collins, age 38 − Mr. Collins has served as a Senior Vice President of the Company since May 2017. From 2005 to May 2017, Mr. Collins served as Vice President and Asset Manager for Clarion Partners (a diversified real estate investment firm).

Bruce Corkern, CPA, age 57 − Mr. Corkern has served as Chief Accounting Officer since 2005, Secretary since 2017 and has been a Senior Vice President of the Company since 2000. He was Controller of the Company from 2000 to 2017. From 1990 until 2000, he was the Vice President of Finance of Time Warner Cable (Jackson/Monroe Division).

R. Reid Dunbar, age 43 − Mr. Dunbar has served as a Senior Vice President of the Company since May 2017. From 2005 through May 2017, Mr. Dunbar held various positions with Prologis (an industrial real estate investment trust) and was most recently a Senior Vice President.

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) reports on the Company’s performance in 2018, the executive compensation earned in light of that performance, and the performance metrics and other relevant factors the Compensation Committee used in making its compensation decisions with respect to our Chief Executive Officer and President, Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers on December 31, 2018 (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”). Our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 are:

Executive Summary

2018 Compensation Program Overview. Our executive compensation program is developed and monitored by our Compensation Committee. We provide a mix of fixed and at-risk pay incentives that are intended to motivate our executives to execute on short- and long-term objectives that build sustainable long-term value for our company. In 2018, our compensation program consisted of the following elements:

At-Risk Compensation Mix. The graphics below illustrate the mix of 2018 fixed pay (base salary) and at-risk pay incentives (cash incentive compensation and equity awards), presented at target, for our Chief Executive Officer and our other Named Executive Officers. At-risk pay incentives constitute the majority of the total compensation package for our executive officers, consistent with a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy and objective, as discussed below. We believe that linking a substantial portion of our executive officers’, including our Named Executive Officers’ total compensation to at-risk pay rewards the achievement of key short- and long-term performance goals and strongly aligns the interests of our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, with those of our shareholders. A larger portion of our Chief Executive Officer’s total compensation was linked to at-risk pay as compared to the other Named Executive Officers, in recognition of our Chief Executive Officer’s overall responsibility for our corporate performance.

Company Highlights. Below are operational and financial highlights for 2018. Funds from operations, or FFO, and same property net operating income, or NOI, are not computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures and other required disclosure can be found on page 36 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 which we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2019.

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

We believe the most effective compensation program is one that promotes our ability to attract and retain highly qualified and motivated individuals who are aligned with the interests of our shareholders. Our Compensation Committee seeks to develop a well-balanced compensation program that not only contains a competitive fixed pay element through annual base salary, but that is weighted more towards variable at-risk pay elements through the use of our short-term cash incentive and equity-based compensation, as well as our long-term equity-based compensation. We foster a culture where our Named Executive Officers may increase their cash compensation by contributing to measurable financial performance metrics of the Company; however, we also require meaningful value creation in the form of total return to our shareholders in order for our Named Executive Officers to earn a significant portion of their equity compensation. Each element of our compensation program is discussed in more detail below.

To further these objectives, we adhere to the following compensation and corporate governance practices:

2018 Compensation Program Design and “Say-on-Pay” Advisory Vote

We provide shareholders with a “say-on-pay” advisory vote on the Company’s compensation program for its Named Executive Officers on an annual basis, in accordance with the preference expressed by shareholders concerning the frequency of such votes at our 2017 annual meeting. Our Compensation Committee considered the results of the “say-on-pay” advisory vote conducted at our 2018 annual meeting and as reported in our current report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 30, 2018, approximately 97.6% of the votes cast on the proposal expressed support for the compensation program offered to our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in last year’s proxy statement. Accordingly, our Compensation Committee made no changes to our executive compensation program as a result of the say-on-pay advisory vote. We will be conducting our annual say-on-pay advisory vote as described in Proposal No. 3 of this proxy statement at our 2019 annual meeting. Our Board and our Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the say-on-pay advisory vote, as well as feedback received throughout the year, when making compensation decisions for our Named Executive Officers in the future.

Our shareholders have largely supported the general framework of our compensation program with respect to the types of performance metrics by which we have measured our short-term and long-term performance. Accordingly, we continue to use a diverse group of performance metrics in connection with our annual incentive plan (“AIP”), including FFO, same property change, general and administrative costs and fixed charge coverage as well as individual performance goals. The performance metrics remain largely unchanged from the previous year’s metrics. Performance goals and the corresponding payout levels were established across a three-tier construct (i.e. threshold, target and maximum).

Since 2017, we have utilized a long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) based on forward-looking performance. Under the LTIP, the Compensation Committee issues equity grants based largely on three-year relative TSR (2018-2020) compared to TSR of the members of the Nareit Industrial Index and to the broader Nareit Equity Index. Performance goals and the corresponding payout levels were established across a three-tier construct (i.e. threshold, target and maximum). A portion of the LTIP is based on continued service and serves as a retention program.

Oversight of Compensation

The Compensation Committee is responsible for implementing our executive pay philosophy, evaluating compensation against the market, and approving the material terms of executive compensation arrangements, such as incentive plan participants, award opportunities, performance goals, and compensation earned under incentive plans.

The Compensation Committee relies upon outside advisors to determine competitive pay levels and evaluate pay program design. In 2018, the Compensation Committee again retained FPL Associates, L.P. (“FPL”), which was first engaged by the Compensation Committee in 2003. The Compensation Committee directed FPL to, among other things: (1) assist the Compensation Committee in applying our compensation philosophy toward designing a compensation program for our executive officers, including the determination of the portion of total compensation awarded in the form of salary, annual cash incentive and equity-based compensation, as well as selecting the appropriate performance metrics and levels of performance (e.g., threshold, target, maximum); (2) analyze current compensation conditions among the Company’s peers, and assess the competitiveness and appropriateness of compensation levels for our executive officers; (3) recommend to the Compensation Committee any modifications or additions to the Company’s existing compensation programs that it deemed advisable; and (4) make specific recommendations to the Compensation Committee for base salary, annual cash incentive and equity-based awards for our executive officers. A representative from FPL frequently attends meetings of the Compensation Committee and is available to participate in executive sessions and to communicate directly with the Compensation Committee chair or its members outside of meetings. FPL did not provide any other services to the Compensation Committee, the Company, or any of its affiliates during 2018.

While Mr. Loeb, our CEO, did participate in general meetings of the Compensation Committee in 2018, he did not participate in executive sessions nor did he participate in any discussions determining his own compensation. Annually, upon request from the Compensation Committee, our CEO provides the Compensation Committee with data pertinent to his and the other executive officers’ performance, particularly in regards to individual objectives of each executive.

Peer Group Analysis

The Compensation Committee relies on the peer group analysis prepared by FPL to evaluate pay levels for our executive officers. The peer groups recommended by FPL and used by the Compensation Committee are all public real estate companies and are divided into two groups based on (i) industry sector (the asset-based peer group) and (ii) equity market capitalization, geographic location and historical performance (the size-geographic-performance peer group, or what we refer to as the SGP peer group). FPL analyzes competitive total direct compensation at the peer REITs listed below, as disclosed in their proxy statements for prior years, as well as information contained in FPL’s proprietary database. The Compensation Committee evaluates the appropriateness of the peer groups annually (based on merger and acquisition activity, growth, property focus, etc.) and makes adjustments accordingly.

The asset-based peer group used for setting 2018 compensation was unchanged from 2017 other than by the addition of Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. and consisted of the following seven exchange-listed REITs that invest in industrial properties.

The SGP peer group used for setting 2018 compensation consisted of the following 11 exchange-listed REITs, which (i) operate across multiple asset classes and are similar in size to the Company in terms of market capitalization, (ii) are similar in performance to the Company in terms of 3-year annualized TSR and/or (iii) are headquartered in the Sunbelt region of the United States. Nine of the eleven SPG peer group were unchanged from 2017, but American Assets Trust, Inc., QTS Realty Trust, Inc. and Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust were removed from the peer group due to limited comparability and Columbia Property Trust, Inc. and Physicians Realty Trust were added as comparably sized companies.

FPL conducted a study that compared the Company’s actual 2017 compensation for the executive officers (including the equity awards made in 2018 with respect to 2017 performance) with the actual 2017 total compensation of the top four executives of each of the companies included in the peer groups. In addition, FPL analyzed target compensation. The study showed that the target total pay, on a weighted average basis for all executive officers, was below the minimum compared to the asset-based peer group and below the 25^th percentile for the SGP peer group. Actual total pay, on a weighted average basis for the Named Executive Officers employed for all of 2017 and 2018, fell below the 25^th percentile of both peer groups. The Compensation Committee then used the peer group data, survey information and other relevant factors to establish the 2018 compensation program for our executive officers. These factors provided the framework for compensation decision-making and final decisions regarding the compensation opportunity for each executive officer. The Company did not target a specific percentile of the peer group to set compensation and no single factor was determinative in setting pay levels, nor was the impact of any factor on the determination of pay levels quantifiable.

Components of Compensation

The total compensation opportunity for our Named Executive Officers in 2018 incorporated three primary components: base salary, an annual cash and equity incentive award and a long-term equity incentive award (over a three-year performance period). The equity incentive awards were based on our stock price at the beginning of the performance period, which was $88.38 at December 29, 2017.

Base Salary. The Compensation Committee seeks to provide our executive officers with a level of assured cash compensation in the form of base salaries that are commensurate with their professional status, accomplishments and geographic location. The base salaries are reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and are adjusted from time to time to recognize competitive market data based on our peer groups, the officer’s level of responsibility, outstanding individual performance, promotions and internal equity considerations. Based on a consideration of these factors, the base salaries of our Named Executive Officers were increased by approximately 3-4% for 2018. The 2018 base salaries for each Named Executive Officer are shown in the following table:

Annual Cash and Equity Incentive Compensation. Our Named Executive Officers have an opportunity to earn annual incentive awards, paid one-half in cash and one-half in equity, designed to reward annual corporate performance and individual performance. Each year the Compensation Committee establishes a target annual incentive award opportunity for each of our Named Executive Officers following a review of their individual scope of responsibilities, experience, qualifications, individual performance and contributions to the Company, as well as an analysis of the surveys and market data based on our peer groups, as discussed previously.

2018 AIP Target Opportunity. The Compensation Committee set the target annual cash incentive and target annual equity incentive each equal to the following percentage of annual base salary: Mr. Loeb (115%), Mr. Wood (75%), Mr. Coleman (60%), Mr. Dunbar (60%) and Mr. Collins (55%). If the target goal for a corporate performance metric is achieved, then the corporate performance metric will be deemed to be earned at 100%. If the threshold and maximum goal for a performance metric is achieved, then the corporate performance metric will be deemed to be earned at 50% and 150%, respectively. Results below threshold result in a zero payout and achievement at levels between threshold and maximum are determined via linear interpolation.

2018 AIP Corporate Performance Goals. The performance metrics and their relative weightings for the 2018 annual cash and equity incentive awards are described below, along with why we believe these were appropriate metrics to use in measuring short-term performance.

The annual performance goals were based on the initial guidance for 2018 in our January 31, 2018 earnings press release.

2018 AIP Individual Performance Goals: Each Named Executive Officer was assigned individual goals related to his scope of responsibility and aligned with our overall strategic priorities. These goals account for 20% of a Named Executive Officer’s AIP award and may be qualitative or quantitative in nature. In considering the individual performance goals, the Compensation Committee did not set specific factors or goals for such factors and did not

assign specific weightings to any factors used, but instead considered them together as part of a comprehensive qualitative review. We do not believe that individual details regarding these performance goals would add meaningfully to the understanding of our business. Our Compensation Committee sets such individual performance goals at rigorous levels which we believe are sufficiently high to require substantial and sustained performance by the Named Executive Officers to be attained.

2018 AIP Actual Results. Based on the Compensation Committee’s analysis of all the foregoing criteria, the Compensation Committee determined that our actual results exceeded the maximum for the company performance goals and between target and maximum for the individual performance goals. The table below summarizes the overall AIP payouts which were based on the corporate and individual performance goals and weightings for each Named Executive Officer.

The annual incentive equity awards, granted in the form of restricted shares, vested 20% on the date the performance results were certified by the Compensation Committee and will vest 20% on each of January 1, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, subject to continued employment with the Company through each applicable vesting date. Dividends on the annual equity incentive awards accumulate beginning January 1, 2018 and are paid if and when the restricted shares vest.

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation. Our Named Executive Officers have an opportunity to earn long-term equity incentive awards intended to provide incentives to our executives for the creation of value and the corresponding growth of our stock price over time. The Compensation Committee believes that our long-term equity incentive awards, together with the annual equity incentive awards discussed above, provide an appropriate balance between performance incentive and retention awards since the recipient must remain employed by the Company for an additional period following the performance period in order for the restricted shares to vest.

LTIP Target Opportunity. The Compensation Committee set the target for the three-year LTIP award, equal to the following percentage of base salary: Mr. Loeb (175%), Mr. Wood (75%), Mr. Coleman (60%), Mr. Dunbar (60%) and Mr. Collins (60%). For each three-year LTIP award, 70% of the target was performance-based (i.e., TSR based) and 30% of the target was service-based. If the target goal for a performance metric is achieved, then the performance metric will be deemed to be earned at 100%. If the threshold and maximum goal for a performance metric is achieved, then the performance metric will be deemed to be earned at 50% and 150%, respectively. Results below threshold result in a zero payout and achievement at levels between threshold and maximum are determined via linear interpolation.

Three-year LTIP Awards

LTIP Performance Goals. The performance goals for the long-term equity incentive awards are based on the Company’s TSR over a three-year period (2018-2020) and include a small service-based component. The performance-based LTIP awards vest 75% at the end of the performance period and the remainder on January 1 of the following year, subject to the executive officer’s continued service with the Company through such date. The metrics are shown in the following table. Because the performance period is the three-year period ending December 31, 2020, actual results will not be determined until the first quarter of 2021.

Retention Grants. On March 4, 2010, the Compensation Committee awarded 20,000 restricted shares per employee as a retention bonus to three of the Company’s senior vice presidents. Messrs. Coleman and Wood were included in the retention bonus program, in addition to a senior vice president who is no longer employed with the Company. To date, 13,400 restricted shares have vested for each of Messrs. Coleman and Wood, and 6,600 shares each will vest on January 10, 2020, provided that the applicable officer remains in the employ of the Company on that date.

In the event the applicable Named Executive Officer’s employment terminates for reasons other than death or permanent disability, such Named Executive Officer will forfeit all interest in shares that have not vested as of the date of termination. If employment terminates because of death or permanent disability, the Named Executive Officer or his estate will receive a pro rata number of restricted shares based on the number of full months elapsed since January 1, 2010 to the date of termination of employment compared to the full vesting period.

Retirement Plans. We have a 401(k) Plan pursuant to which the Company makes matching contributions of 50% of the eligible employee’s contributions (limited to 10% of compensation as defined by the plan) and may also make annual discretionary contributions. In 2018, the Company made a discretionary contribution of 5.15% of eligible employees’ compensation. The percentages of Company contributions for eligible Named Executive Officers are the same percentages as for other eligible employees. When the Compensation Committee calculates targeted overall compensation for our senior management, it factors in the benefits expected to be received under the 401(k) Plan.

Perquisites and Other Benefits. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the perquisites that senior management receives. The primary perquisite for executive officers is the Company’s provision of life insurance equal to 2.5x base salary up to a maximum amount of $400,000. Executive officers also participate in the Company’s medical insurance plans on the same terms as other officers. In certain circumstances, we provide reimbursement of reasonable expenses for relocations or substantial changes to the location of an executive officer’s workplace. We do not provide our executive officers automobiles or reimbursement for country clubs, financial planning or things of a similar nature.

Severance Benefits. In order to recruit executives and encourage retention of employees, we believe it is appropriate and necessary to provide assurance of certain severance payments if the Company terminates the individual’s employment without cause. Pursuant to our Severance and Change in Control Agreements, in the event an executive officer is terminated involuntarily by the Company without cause, as defined in the applicable agreement, and provided the employee executes a full and irrevocable release of claims, in a form satisfactory to the Company, promptly following termination, the employee will be entitled to receive certain severance benefits discussed below under the heading “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” We believe that the size of the severance package for each Named Executive Officer is consistent with severance benefits offered by other companies of our size or in our industry to an officer in a similar position.

Change in Control. Our senior management and other employees have built the Company into a successful real estate investment trust and the Board believes that it is important to protect them in the event of a change in control. Further, it is the Board’s belief that the interests of shareholders will be best served if the interests of our senior management are aligned with them, and providing change in control benefits should eliminate, or at least reduce, the reluctance of senior management to pursue potential change in control transactions that may result in their job loss,

but which may be in the best interests of shareholders. Upon a change in control and a qualifying termination, Messrs. Loeb, Wood and Coleman would receive a lump sum cash severance equal to 3 times the executive’s average annual compensation. Messrs. Dunbar and Collins would receive a lump sum cash severance equal to 1.5 times the executive’s average annual compensation. The severance payments would be paid in cash 60 days after termination and upon execution of a waiver and release agreement. The executive would also be provided life insurance and be reimbursed for health insurance for a period of time. Relative to the overall value of the Company, these potential change in control benefits are relatively minor. See “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” for additional information.

Clawback. We have a policy that requires the reimbursement of incentive compensation in the event of a substantial restatement of our financial results caused by intentional misconduct by senior officers of the Company. The Board reserves the right to review the incentive compensation received by the senior officers with respect to the period to which the restatement relates, recalculate the Company’s results for the period to which the restatement relates and seek reimbursement of that portion of the incentive compensation that was based on the misstated financial results from the senior officer or officers whose intentional misconduct was the cause of the restatement.

Hedging and Pledging Policy. Our Board has adopted a policy that prohibits Company directors, officers and certain designated employees from (i) engaging in any hedging or monetization transactions involving Company securities or from purchasing or selling any put or call option contract or similar instrument with respect to Company securities and (ii) pledging Company securities as collateral for a loan or holding such shares in a margin account.

Tax and Accounting Considerations

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 162(m)”), a publicly held corporation may not deduct compensation of more than $1 million paid to any “covered employee” in any year. Although certain qualifying “performance-based compensation” was previously exempt from this deduction limit, the recently-exacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made certain changes to Section 162(m). Pursuant to such changes, “performance-based compensation” is no longer exempt under Section 162(m), effective for tax years beginning after January 1, 2017, subject to a transition rule for written binding contracts which were in effect on November 2, 2017 and which were not modified in any material respect on or after such date.

We are continuing to assess the impact of Section 162(m) and the recent changes thereto on our compensation arrangements; however, we expect Section 162(m) to have limited impact on the Company because based on our interpretation of certain private letter rulings, it is our position that compensation payable to our executive officers that is attributable to services for our operating partnership is not subject to Section 162(m) as our operating partnership is not a “publicly held corporation” within the meaning of Section 162(m). As a result, the possible loss of a U.S. federal tax deduction would not be expected to have a material impact on us. Accordingly, we do not expect Section 162(m) to have a significant impact on our Compensation Committee’s compensation decisions for our executive officers.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

We follow the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”) for our stock-based compensation awards.

Report of the Compensation Committee

The following Report of the Compensation Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this Report by reference therein.

The Compensation Committee of the Company has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table summarizes, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the amount of compensation paid by the Company to the Named Executive Officers.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2018

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2018 Fiscal Year-End

The following table summarizes the number of non-fully vested outstanding equity awards held by each of our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2018, including awards earned by December 31, 2018 but not issued until 2019. Please refer to the footnotes of the table for further details. None of our Named Executive Officers hold any stock options.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2018

The following table provides information regarding restricted shares that vested during 2018 for each of the Named Executive Officers. No stock options were granted to or exercised by the Named Executive Officers in 2018 and no options are currently outstanding.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

The following table shows potential payouts assuming that (i) the Named Executive Officer experienced a qualifying termination not in connection with a change in control; (ii) the Company experienced a change in control (where all outstanding equity awards were assumed, continued, or substituted by the successor); and (iii) the Company experienced a change in control (where all outstanding equity awards were assumed, continued, or substituted by the successor) and the Named Executive Officer experienced a qualifying termination on such date, in each case, on the last business day of 2018.