A particulate precursor compound for manufacturing a lithium transition metal (M)-oxide powder for use as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, wherein (M) is NixMnyCozAv, A being a dopant, wherein 0.33≤x≤0.60, 0.20≤y≤0.33, and 0.20≤z≤0.33, v≤0.05, and x+y+z+v=1, the precursor comprising Ni, Mn and Co in a molar ratio x:y:z and having a specific surface area BET in m2/g and a sulfur content S expressed in wt %, wherein formula (I).