Spherical particles comprising a lithiated mixed transition metal oxide comprising nickel, cobalt and manganese and optionally at least one further transition metal, each in cationic form, wherein the carbonate content, calculated as Li2CO3, is in the range from 0.01 to 0.3% by weight, based on overall particles, and the proportion of nickel, plotted against the radius of the particles in question, in the outer region of the particles is at least 10 mol % below the proportion in the core, and the manganese content, plotted against the radius of the particles in question, in the outer region of the particles is at least 10 mol % above the proportion in the core, and where mol % are based on the total transition metal content.