Largely because of the legal grey zone in which they thrive, pachinko parlour operators are not listed on the stock exchange. The producers of the machines, however, are tipped to perform strongly.

Stock levels continue to rise with Chinese producers finding ways to export excess primary metal to neighbouring countries.

That recovery should be supported in the initial stages by a turnaround in the stock cycle, as producers start to meet demand by raising output rather than running down inventories.