A magnetoresistive film is interposed between domain controlling films in a current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) structure magnetoresistive element. The domain controlling films are designed to establish a first biasing magnetic field of a first intensity across the magnetoresistive film along the front end of the magnetoresistive film and a second biasing magnetic field of a second intensity larger than the first intensity along the rear end of the magnetoresistive film. The second biasing magnetic field serves to establish a single domain property within the magnetoresistive film along the rear end. Although the first biasing magnetic field acts in the same direction as the current field at a position near the front end of the magnetoresistive film, the magnetization is allowed to reliably rotate near the front end. A sensing current having a larger current value can be supplied to the magnetoresistive film. The magnetoresistive film exhibits a sufficient sensitivity.