Private equity firm to buy Compuware for $2.5B

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Private equity firm Thoma Bravo is spending about $2.5 billion to buy Compuware and take the software developer private.

The companies say Compuware stock owners will receive about $10.92 for each share they own. That price includes mostly cash and some stock from Compuware spin-off Covisint.

It represents a premium of about 17 percent to the Detroit company's Friday closing price.

Compuware says its board unanimously approved the deal and recommends shareholders vote for it as well. Activist investor Elliott Management has already agreed to vote in favor of the deal. Elliott holds more than a 9 percent stake in Compuware Corp. and tried to acquire the company last year.

Thoma Bravo and Compuware expect the deal to close early next year.

Shares of Compuware are soaring in morning trading.