A magnetoresistive head has a magnetoresistive film including first and second
magnetization free layers, an intermediate layer sandwiched between the first and
second magnetization free layers, an underlayer and a protective layer, which are
stacked in the order of the underlayer, the first magnetization free layer, the
intermediate layer, the second magnetization free layer and the protective layer
and arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the air-bearing surface, and
a first electrode connected with the underlayer and a second electrode connected
with the protective layer, the electrodes allowing a current to flow in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the plane. The intermediate layer includes a stacked
film of a metal layer/an oxide layer, a stacked film of a metal layer/a nitride
layer, a sandwich film of a metal layer/an oxide layer/a metal layer, or a sandwich
film of a metal layer/a nitride layer/a metal layer.