A method for preparing a powderous positive electrode material comprising single crystal monolithic particles comprising Ni and Co and having a general formula Li 1+a ((Niz (Ni 1⁄2 Mn 1⁄2 ) y Co x ) 1-k A k ) 1-a O 2 , wherein A is a dopant, -0.03≤a≤0.06, 0.05≤x≤0,35, 0.10≤z≤0.95, x+y+z=1 and k≤0.05, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a mixture comprising a Ni- and Co- bearing precursor and a Li bearing precursor, said mixture having a Li to transition metal ratio of between 0.65 and 0.95, - subjecting the mixture to a multiple step sintering process comprising the following steps : - a first sintering step in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 650 and 850°C, for a time between 1/3 and 15 hours, thereby obtaining a lithium deficient precursor powder, - mixing the lithium deficient precursor powder with either one of LiOH, Li20 and LiOH.H2O, thereby obtaining a second mixture whereby the mixture has a Li to transition metal ratio is between 0.95 and 1.10, and - sintering the second mixture in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 800 and 1000°C, for a time between 6 and 36 hours, so as to obtain a sintered lithiated intermediate material comprising agglomerated primary particles having a primary particle size distribution with a D50 between 2.0 and 8.0 μm, the method further comprising the steps of: - subjecting the sintered lithiated intermediate material to a wet ball milling step whereby the agglomerated primary particles are deagglomerated and a slurry comprising deagglomerated primary particles is obtained, - separating the deagglomerated primary particles from the slurry, and - heat treating the deagglomerated primary particles at a temperature between 300°C and at least 20°C below the temperature in the final sintering step of the multiple step sintering process, whereby single crystal monolithic particles comprising Ni and Co are obtained. - providing a mixture comprising a Ni- and Co- bearing precursor and a Li bearing precursor, said mixture having a Li to transition metal ratio of between 0.65 and 0.95, - subjecting the mixture to a multiple step sintering process comprising the following steps : - a first sintering step in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 650 and 850°C, for a time between 1/3 and 15 hours, thereby obtaining a lithium deficient precursor powder, - mixing the lithium deficient precursor powder with either one of LiOH, Li20 and LiOH.H2O, thereby obtaining a second mixture whereby the mixture has a Li to transition metal ratio is between 0.95 and 1.10, and - sintering the second mixture in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 800 and 1000°C, for a time between 6 and 36 hours, so as to obtain a sintered lithiated intermediate material comprising agglomerated primary particles having a primary particle size distribution with a D50 between 2.0 and 8.0 μm, the method further comprising the steps of: - subjecting the sintered lithiated intermediate material to a wet ball milling step whereby the agglomerated primary particles are deagglomerated and a slurry comprising deagglomerated primary particles is obtained, - separating the deagglomerated primary particles from the slurry, and - heat treating the deagglomerated primary particles at a temperature between 300°C and at least 20°C below the temperature in the final sintering step of the multiple step sintering process, whereby single crystal monolithic particles comprising Ni and Co are obtained. <EOS>