A graphene-enhanced transition metal fluoride or chloride hybrid particulate for use as a lithium battery cathode active material, wherein the particulate is formed of a single or a plurality of graphene sheets and a plurality of fine transition metal fluoride or chloride particles with a size smaller than 10 μm (preferably sub-micron or nano-scaled), and the graphene sheets and the particles are mutually bonded or agglomerated into an individual discrete particulate with at least a graphene sheet embracing the transition metal fluoride or chloride particles, and wherein the particulate has an electrical conductivity no less than 10−4 S/cm and the graphene is in an amount of from 0.01% to 30% by weight based on the total weight of graphene and the transition metal fluoride or chloride combined.