SAO PAULO, May 14 (Reuters) - Brazilian steelmaker CSN increased its leverage forecast for 2024 but pledged to work to lower it "in the coming years" in a securities filing late on Monday.

CSN said it now expects a net debt to adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) ratio at end-2024 of 2.50, up from a previous forecast of less than 2.00.

The steelmaker and miner earlier this week posted a first-quarter net loss hit by lower iron ore and steel prices, with its adjusted EBITDA falling 39% versus a year earlier.

CSN noted at the time that its weaker operational performance had weighed on its financial leverage, a key focus of the company, with its net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio rising to 3.13 from 2.58 in December. (Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; editing by Jason Neely Editing by Luana Maria Benedito)