Updates for markets open

July 15 (Reuters) - Indian shares opened higher on Wednesday, as financials rebounded, with softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data easing near-term rate-hike concerns and lifting sentiment across Asian markets.

Concerns over escalating U.S.-Iran tensions kept a lid on gains, with the two countries exchanging strikes and battling for control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The benchmark Nifty 50 .NSEI rose 0.36% to 24,138.25, while the BSE Sensex .BSESN added 0.38% to 77,352.26 by 9:18 a.m. IST.

Fifteen of the 16 major sectors gained. The broader small-caps .NIFSMCP100 and mid-caps .NIFMDCP100 rose 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Financials .NIFTYFIN gained 0.9% after losing 1.1% in the previous session.

IT index .NIFTYIT fell 1.4% after global technology firm and bellwether IBM Corp IBM.N forecasted Q2 revenue below analyst estimates.

Brent crude LCOc1 climbed 1.4% to $86 a barrel, after U.S. President Donald Trump reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and Tehran responded with strikes on U.S. infrastructure in the Middle East.

However, softer-than-expected U.S. inflation in May lifted Wall Street and Asian equities, cushioning risk sentiment.

Lower U.S. inflation supports emerging markets such as India by keeping near-term rate-hike risks at bay, easing dollar pressure and encouraging foreign flows into risk assets. O/R