This invention discloses a lithium metal oxide powder for a cathode material in a rechargeable battery, consisting of a core and a surface layer, the core having a layered crystal structure comprising the elements Li, M and oxygen, wherein M has the formula M=(Niz(Ni1/2Mn1/2)yCox)1-kAk, with 0.15≤x≤0.30, 0.20≤z≤0.55, x+y+z=1 and 0≤k≤0.1, wherein A is a dopant, wherein the Li content is stoichiometrically controlled with a molar ratio 0.95≤Li:M≤1.10; and wherein the surface layer comprises the elements Li, M′ and oxygen, wherein M′ has the formula M′=(Niz′(Ni1/2Mn1/2)y′Cox′)1-k′Ak′, with x′+y′+z′=1 and 0≤k′≤0.1, and wherein y′/(y′+2z′)≥1.1*[y/(y+2z)]. The surface layer may also comprise at least 3 mol % Al, the Al content in the surface layer 10 being determined by XPS.