Gold is seen as a hedge against rising inflation, but firmer Treasury yields, which translate into a higher opportunity cost for holding bullion, have challenged that status.
South Africa's trade surplus widened to 28.96 billion rand ($1.96 billion) in February from a revised surplus of 12.42 billion rand in January, data from the revenue service showed.
The number of Americans filing new jobless claims fell to a four-month low last week, while the US market morale rose to its highest in a year in early March.
Silver eased 0.2% to $27.34 an ounce, but was poised for a third straight monthly rise, while palladium climbed 0.8% to $2,420.68 and was set to register its best month in a year with a more than 8% gain.