-By Lucia Moses

British imports the Economist and The Week maintained their circulation winning streak in the first half of 2009.

Quick-hit newsweekly The Week saw a big lift in its tiny single-copy sales as a result of its expansion to more retail outlets.

The traditional newsweeklies, meanwhile, continued their slow circ decline, despite efforts to update their editorial approach. All four titles delivered comfortable bonuses over rate base. The Economist reported the biggest percentage increase (6.2 percent) over its circ guarantee, even as it raised its rate base to 764,000 from 714,000 this year.

The Economist expects to put through another increase in January, but The Week is staying put, noting that it sees more profit in raising its subscription prices (its net average sub price stands at $36.33 yearly).

Click here for circ report chart