A positive resist composition including: a polymeric compound (A1) having a structural unit (a0) that contains a “cyclic group containing —SO2—” on the side chain terminal, and a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group; an acid generator component (B); and a fluorine-containing resin component having a structural unit (f1) represented by general formula (f1-0): wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; Q0 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group having a fluorine atom; and RX0 represents an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group-containing group which may contain a fluorine atom, with the provision that at least one fluorine atom is contained in formula (f1-0).