Gap 'n Flat: Now, What?

This morning's gap higher sure was picturesque for bulls. But as the intraday IWM chart shows, below, it was a gap and flat type of day. Indeed, it was a grind after the open.

Still, bears failed to get their fade this time around, which raises the specter of a new leg higher in stocks. And, beyond that, equity bulls were able to crush the VIX today for the first time in a while (see UVXY) 

The heart of earnings season awaits. More in my recap after the bell.