SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C.  20549

FORM 11-K

¨  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended __________

OR

x    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010

Commission File
Number 1-5491

A.
Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

ROWAN COMPANIES, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

B.
Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

Rowan Companies, Inc.
2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 5450
Houston, Texas 77056-6189

REQUIRED INFORMATION

The Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan (the “Plan”) is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).  Therefore, in lieu of the requirements of Items 1-3 of Form 11-K, the financial statements of the Plan as of and for the fiscal year and fiscal year-ends reflected therein, which have been prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA, are attached hereto as Appendix 1 and incorporated herein by this reference.

SIGNATURES

The Plan, Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ROWAN COMPANIES, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

 
By: 
Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings  
   
And Investment Plan
 
   
Administrative Committee:
 

 
/s/
GARY L. MARSH
June 28, 2011
   
Gary L. Marsh
 
 
 
 

 

Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan
 
Table of Contents
 
December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
    1
       
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
     
       
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits - December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010
    2
       
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits - Period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and Year Ended June 30, 2010
    3
       
Notes to Financial Statements - December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010
    4
       
EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
     

Note: Schedules required by 29 CFR 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for reporting and disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, have been omitted because they are not applicable.

 
 

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan:
 
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan (the “Plan”) as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and the year ended June 30, 2010.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010 and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and the year ended June 30, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
/s/ McConnell & Jones LLP
Houston, Texas
June 27, 2011

 
1

 

Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan
 
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
 
December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010
 
   
December 31,
2010
   
June 30, 2010
 
Assets
           
Investment, at fair value:
           
Plan interest in Master Trust 1
  $ 107,831,861     $ 83,284,447  
                 
Receivables
               
Employer contributions
    388,544       574,418  
Participant contributions
    464,320       730,687  
      852,864       1,305,105  
                 
Net Assets, at fair value
    108,684,725       84,589,552  
                 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
    (57,051 )     30,240  
                 
Net Assets Available for Benefits
  $ 108,627,674     $ 84,619,792  

1 Represents 5% or more of net assets available for benefits.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
2

 

Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
 
Period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and the Year Ended June 30, 2010

   
Period from July
1, 2010 to
December 31, 2010
   
Year Ended 
June 30, 2010
 
Investment Income
           
Plan interest in net income of Master Trust
  $ 19,852,796     $ 7,531,978  
                 
Contributions
               
Employer
    3,977,340       6,933,223  
Participant
    5,032,397       9,589,056  
                 
Total contributions
    9,009,737       16,522,279  
                 
Deductions
               
Benefits paid directly to participants
    4,854,651       8,855,027  
                 
Total deductions
    4,854,651       8,855,027  
                 
Net Increase
    24,007,882       15,199,230  
                 
Transfers into the Plan
    -       1,196,527  
                 
Net Assets Available for Benefits, Beginning of Period
    84,619,792       68,224,035  
                 
Net Assets Available for Benefits, End of Period
  $ 108,627,674     $ 84,619,792  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
3

 
 
Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010
 
1.
PLAN DESCRIPTION
 
The following brief description of the Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan (the “Plan”) is provided for general informational purposes only.  Participants should refer to the Plan agreement for more complete information.
 
General – The Plan is a defined contribution, individual account 401(k) plan covering substantially all drilling division employees of Rowan Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Rowan”).

During 2009, the Plan changed its year end from December 31 to June 30. Effective July 1, 2010, the Plan’s year end was changed to December 31.

Effective July 1, 2009, the Rowan Companies, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan was merged into the Plan.

Participation – Employees are eligible to enter the Plan on the first day of the next month following completion of two months of service.
 
Funding – Plan participants may make contributions of up to 60% of their regular compensation on a before- or after-tax basis. Eligible employees who have never had a contribution election in place are subject to automatic enrollment whereby Rowan will automatically deduct 3% from their pay on a pre-tax basis following a 30 day notice period. The deferral rate is increased by 1% each year until it reaches a maximum of 6% of compensation. Employees can elect to stop or change this automatic contribution at any time.

Rowan matches participant contributions equal to 100% of the first 6% of participant’s eligible compensation.  Participants who attain the age of 50 before the end of the Plan year may make additional before-tax contributions to the Plan.

Investment Options – The assets of the Plan are held in the Master Trust for Rowan Companies and Affiliates Defined Contribution Plans (the “Master Trust”) and managed by Fidelity Management Trust Company, the Trustee of the Plan (the “Trustee”).  Plan participants direct the investment of their accounts among the Plan’s investment options and may, at their sole discretion, transfer amounts between such options, including the Rowan Companies Unitized Stock Fund (the “Fund”), at any time.
 
Expenses – Participants’ accounts are charged with investment advisory and other fees by the Trustee through charges by the underlying funds.  Other expenses of administering the Plan and Master Trust are borne by the Plan or by Rowan, at its discretion.
 
Vesting Provisions – Participants are 100% vested at all times in their own contributions, plus any earnings accrued thereon. Qualified Automatic Safe Harbor Matching Contributions and earnings are fully vested after two years of service and Employer Matching Contributions and earnings are fully vested after three years of service.
 
Distributions – Participants can obtain lump-sum or installment distributions of vested balances upon termination of employment, retirement, disability or death. Participants may be permitted to withdraw from their before-tax account upon attainment of age 59 ½ or hardship in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

 
4

 

Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010
 
Forfeitures – Upon termination of employment, participants’ non-vested balances are forfeited.  Such forfeitures can be applied to reduce employer contributions or Plan administrative expenses otherwise payable by Rowan.
 
During the period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and the year ended June 30, 2010, Rowan utilized approximately $24,000 and $33,000, respectively, of employee forfeitures for Plan administrative expenses.  During the year ended June 30, 2010, Rowan applied approximately $600,000 of employee forfeitures to reduce employer contributions.
 
At December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, Plan assets included approximately $55,000 and $51,000, respectively, of non-vested forfeited accounts.
 
Plan Termination – Although it has not expressed any intention to do so, Rowan may terminate the Plan at any time subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In the event the Plan is terminated, each participant shall be entitled to 100% of all contributions, plus any earnings accrued thereon, as of the date of termination.
 
Party-in-Interest Transactions – The investment by the Trustee of Plan contributions into mutual funds managed by an affiliate of the Trustee are party-in-interest transactions, and the related management fees are deducted from investment earnings.  Rowan is also a party-in-interest.

2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Basis of Accounting – The financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Investment Valuation and Income Recognition –The investments held in the Master Trust are stated at fair value based on the latest quoted market values of the underlying securities. Securities for which no quoted market value is available are evaluated and valued by Plan management with reference to the underlying investments, assumptions and methodologies used in arriving at fair value in accordance with FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (See Note 6). Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date-basis.
 
Benefit-responsive investment contracts held by a defined-contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value. However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined-contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the plan. The Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits present the fair value of the investment contracts as well as the adjustment of the fully benefit-responsive investment contracts from fair value to contract value (See Note 5). The Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits is prepared on a contract value basis.
 
Net appreciation of investments is comprised of realized and unrealized gains and losses. Realized gains or losses represent the difference between proceeds received upon sale and the average cost of the investment. Unrealized gain or loss is the difference between market value and cost of investments retained in the Plan (at financial statement date).

 
5

 

Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010
 
For the purpose of allocation to participants, the Rowan Companies Unitized Stock Fund is valued by the Plan at its unit price (comprised of market price plus uninvested cash position) on the date of allocation. Current unit price is used at the time of distribution to participants resulting in a realized gain or loss reflected in the income from the Plan’s investment in the Master Trust.
 
Investment income from the Plan’s investment in the Master Trust consists of the Plan’s proportionate share of the Master Trust’s interest and dividend income and investment income from net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments. The Trustee records dividend income as of the ex-dividend date and accrues interest income as earned.

Payment of Benefits – Benefits are recorded when paid.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures: Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (“ASU 2010-06”). ASU 2010-06 requires additional disclosures and clarifies existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurement as set forth in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”). ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for certain disclosure requirements regarding activity in Level 3 fair value measurements which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The implementation of ASU 2010-06 had no impact on the Plan’s financial condition. See Note 6 for fair value measurement disclosures. The additional requirements under ASU 2010-06 regarding activity in Level 3 fair value measurements will be implemented in 2011 and are not expected to impact the Plan’s financial condition.

3.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
 
Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, and credit. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in the near term could materially affect the amounts reported in the Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits.

4.
INVESTMENT IN MASTER TRUST
 
The Master Trust for Rowan Companies and Affiliates Defined Contribution Plans commingles, for investment and administrative purposes, Plan assets with those of another plan sponsored by Rowan.  The Trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating investment gains or losses to the participating plans.  The Plan’s investments are held in the Master Trust. Investments and the income there from are allocated to participating plans based on each plan’s participation in the investment options within the Master Trust. Net investment gains or losses for each day are allocated by the Trustee to each participating plan based on the plans’ relative interest in the investment units of the Master Trust.

 
6

 

Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010

At December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, the Master Trust held the following investments:
 
   
December 31, 2010
   
June 30, 2010
 
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
Investments:
                       
Interest bearing cash
  $ 22,930,194       13 %   $ 18,639,747       13 %
Employer securities
    26,301,299       15 %     21,153,270       15 %
Stable value fund
    13,254,999       8 %     12,206,726       9 %
Registered investment companies
    113,242,691       64 %     88,090,139       63 %
Total investments at fair value
    175,729,183       100 %     140,089,882       100 %
                                 
Receivables
    29,741               -          
Liabilities
    (174,178 )             -          
                                 
Net assets, at fair value
    175,584,746               140,089,882          
                                 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
    (107,776 )             (58,601 )        
                                 
Net Assets available for benefits
  $ 175,476,970             $ 140,031,281          
 
Net investment income for the Master Trust for the period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and the year ended June 30, 2010 was as follows:
 
   
Period from July
1, 2010 to
December 31,
2010
   
Year Ended
June 30, 2010
 
Investment income:
           
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
  $ 27,639,031     $ 10,114,862  
Interest and dividends
    1,962,215       1,830,035  
Net investment income
    29,601,246       11,944,897  
                 
Expenses
    (36,969 )     (71,646 )
                 
Net investment income
  $ 29,564,277     $ 11,873,251  

The Plan’s interest in the Master Trust’s total investment units was approximately 62% and 60% at December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, respectively, with the balance attributed to the other Rowan-sponsored plan.
 
The Master Trust invests a significant portion of its assets in Rowan common stock which approximated 15% of the Master Trust’s net assets available for benefits as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010.  As a result of this concentration, any significant fluctuation in the market value of this stock could affect individual participant accounts and the net assets of the Plan.

 
7

 

Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010

5.
FULLY BENEFIT- RESPONSIVE INVESTMENT CONTRACTS
 
The Plan has an interest in a Stable Value Fund that has investments in fixed income securities and bond funds and may include derivative instruments, such as futures contracts and swap agreements. The stable value fund also enters into a “wrapper” contract issued by a third-party.
 
As described in Note 2, because these contracts are fully benefit-responsive, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits attributable to these contracts. Contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses. Participants may ordinarily direct the withdrawal or transfer of all or a portion of their investments at contract value.
 
The average yield earned by the contract for the period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and for the year ended June 30, 2010 was 2.68% and 2.82%, respectively. The average yield earned to reflect the actual interest rate credited to participants for the period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and for the year ended June 30, 2010 was 1.44% and 1.26%, respectively.
 
There are no reserves against contract value for credit risk of the contract issuer or otherwise. The crediting interest rate is based on a formula agreed upon with the issuer, but it may not be less than zero percent. Such interest rates are reviewed on a quarterly basis for resetting.
 
Certain events limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value with the issuer. The Plan administrator does not believe that the occurrence of an event that would limit the Plan’s ability to transact at contract value with participants is probable.

6.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
FASB ASC 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FASB ASC 820 are described below:  
 
Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access.
 
Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include:
 
 
Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;  
 
Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;  
 
Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability;  
 
Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.  
 
 
8

 

Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010
 
If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
 
Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
 
The asset or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
 
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets held in the Master Trust measured at fair value.
 
Interest bearing cash: Valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
 
Mutual funds:  Valued at the net asset value (“NAV”) of shares held by the Plan at year end.
 
Stable value fund: Valued at fair value by discounting the related cash flows based on current yields of similar instruments with comparable durations considering the creditworthiness of the issuer (See Note 5).    
 
Employer securities (Rowan Companies Unitized Stock Fund): The value of a unit in the Fund is based on the NAV, which is the closing price of the underlying common stock in the principal active market on which the securities are traded and the uninvested cash position held by the fund, divided by the number of units outstanding.
 
The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.  
 
 
9

 
 
Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010
 
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Master Trust’s investments at fair value as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010:
 
   
December 31,
2010
   
June 30, 2010
 
Level 1:
           
Interest bearing cash
  $ 22,930,194     $ 18,639,747  
Employer common stock
    26,301,299       21,153,270  
Registered investment companies:
               
Moderate Allocation
    19,564,767       16,757,735  
Intermediate-Term Bond
    10,466,979       9,223,612  
Foreign Large Growth
    6,195,284       4,671,226  
Small Growth
    3,452,252       2,399,580  
Retirement Income
    1,020,425       887,201  
Target Date Fund
    31,770,340       22,324,853  
Large Blend
    14,388,570       11,259,180  
Large Growth
    13,063,418       10,107,840  
Large Value
    4,567,820       3,792,288  
Mid-Cap Blend
    8,752,836       6,666,624  
      162,474,184       127,883,156  
Level 2:
               
Stable value fund
    13,254,999       12,148,125  
      13,254,999       12,148,125  
                 
Total investments at fair value
  $ 175,729,183     $ 140,031,281  

7.
TAX STATUS OF THE PLAN
 
The Trustee received a favorable opinion letter dated March 31, 2008, from the Internal Revenue Service informing the Trustee that their volume submitter profit sharing plan is qualified under provisions of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan administrator believes that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan’s financial statements.
 
8.
TRANSACTIONS WITH PARTIES-IN-INTEREST
 
Certain Plan investments are funds managed by the Trustee and therefore qualify as party-in-interest transactions. Other party-in-interest investments held by the Plan include Rowan common stock, which totaled $20,742,920 and $16,723,547 at December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, respectively.
 
Fees paid during the year for legal, accounting, and other professional services rendered by parties-in-interest were based on customary and reasonable rates for such services.
 
 
10

 

Rowan Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010
 
9.
RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FORM 5500
 
The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to Form 5500 as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010:
 
   
December 31,
2010
   
June 30, 2010
 
Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements
  $ 108,627,674     $ 84,619,792  
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive contracts
    57,051       (30,240 )
                 
Net Assets Available for Benefits per Form 5500
  $ 108,684,725     $ 84,589,552  

The following is a reconciliation of the changes in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to Form 5500 for the period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010:
 
   
Period Ended
December 31,
2010
 
Increase in Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements
  $ 24,007,882  
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive contracts
    57,051  
Reverse prior year adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive contracts
    30,240  
Increase in Net Assets Available for Benefits per Form 5500
  $ 24,095,173  

10.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
LeTourneau Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rowan, was acquired by Joy Global, Inc. on June 22, 2011.  As a result of the transaction, the Master Trust relationship was terminated effective June 22, 2011, the effective date of the acquisition.

 
11