FTSE 100 gains on mixed labour report
Smurfit Kappa plunges on WestRock deal
AB Foods tops FTSE 100 on upbeat profit outlook
FTSE 100 up 0.5, FTSE 250 adds 0.2

Sept 12 Reuters UK39;s FTSE 100 rose on Tuesday after a mixed labour report signalled that the Bank of England BoE might be nearing the end of its interest rate hike cycle, although a slump in packaging producer Smurfit Kappa39;s shares capped gains.

The exporterheavy FTSE 100 index climbed 0.5 by 0836 GMT, gaining for the fourthstraight day, while the sterling edged 0.2 lower against the dollar.

Britain39;s unemployment rate rose to 4.3 in the three months to July from 4.2 a month earlier, indicating a cooling in the labour market.

However, wages excluding bonuses were 7.8 higher than a year earlier and in line with economists39; forecasts in a Reuters poll.

We39;re sort of getting a little bit of conflicted and mixed messages and that39;s why it39;s going to be very difficult for the BoE to make a decision on the rate path, said Anthi Tsouvali, multiasset strategist at State Street Global Markets.

It was another record month for pay growth, however, which most investors think will prompt the BoE to raise interest rates again on Sept. 22 to 5.5 from 5.25, perhaps for the last time in the current cycle.

Traders are betting on a 78 chance of the BoE lifting rates by 25 basis points bps at its September meeting.

Shares of Associated British Foods rose 5.1 to the top of the benchmark index after the…